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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 






















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1000 ASSORTED FACTS 


OF 


CHOICE 



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COMPILED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES 



ARTHUR W. HAMILTON. 


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IMY 1 9-1890 


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BROOKFIELD, MASS.: 

A. W. HAMILTON, PUBLISHER. 
1890. 










0 $ £ 
> 



COPYRIGHT, 1890, 

By Arthur W. Hamilton. 










CHOICE INFORMATION. 


*<x 


1 '• 

To Alvin Adams, of Boston,- is given the credit 
of starting one of the oldest Express Companies in 
America. The trial trip between Boston and New 
York was made on the 4th of May, 1840. 

2 

The area of America is 15 million square miles. 

3 

The population of the U. S. of America in 1880 
was 58,165,195. 

4 

Amerigo Vespucci, from whom America received 
its name, was born at Florence, Italy, March 9, 1451, 
and died at Seville, Feb. 22, 1512. 

5 

Father Adam died at the age of 930 years. 

6 

The first Arithmetic, using rules and figures similar 

1 



2 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


to those of the present day, appeared in a. d. 1000, 
and was the work of Avicenna. 

7 

Artillery began to be used in China in A. d. 969. 

8 

The first academy was founded by Ptolemy Soter, 
at Alexandria, Egypt. 

M 

9 

Algebra is a very old science. The first work 
on the subject was written by Diophantus, a Greek 
writer, in the latter part of the 4th century. 

10 

Astronomy ranks second, according to the best 
authority, among the sciences. It originated with the 
Chaldeans, in the year b. c. 2250. 

11 

The Ark was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 
30 cubits high. 

12 

Alabama has an area of 51,540 square miles, and 
a population in 1880 of 1,262,505. The first set¬ 
tlements were made by the French in 1711, where the 
city of Mobile now stands. The chief productions of 
the state are cotton and corn. Alabama was made a 
state Dec. 14, 1819. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


3 


18 

Benedict Arnold was born at Norwich, Conn., 
Jan. 3, 1740. 

14 

The highest peak of the Alps is 15,786 feet, height. 

15 

The air pump was invented by Otto Yon Guer¬ 
icke, a German inventor, in a. d. 1654. 

16 

Arkansas has an area of 53,045 square miles. Its 
population in 1880 was 802,525. Its lands are well 
suited for the growth of almost any crops. One of 
the chief attractions that Arkansas affords to the 
traveller is its hot springs. They are in the Washita 
valley, 50 miles S. E. of Little llock and they number 
1000. Arkansas was first settled in 1685, and made 
a state June 15, 1836. 


17 

There are 35,000 men in the standing army. 

18 

Amherst College was founded in 1821. 

19 

Amherst Agricultural College was founded in 1866 ; 


4 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


from the first it has been the largest and most pros¬ 
perous institution of its kind in the U. S. 

20 

Arizona has an area of 112,920 square miles. Its 
population in 1880 was 40,440. Fruit and vegetables 
are its chief crops. The first settlement was made at 
San Diego in 1769. 

21 

St. Augustine was the first missionary that estab¬ 
lished Christianity in England. 

22 

Albion mountain, in Alabama, is 4,000 feet high. 

23 

Albany, the capital of N. Y., is a large and flourish¬ 
ing city; and has many fine public buildings, the 
finest of which is the capitol. There are five lines of 
railroad running through the city. It is here that the 
Erie canal ends, which adds not a little to the lively 
aspect of the place. In 1880 its population was 
90,903. 

24 

The ambulance was first used in 594 b. c 

25 

The air gun was invented by Marin in 1595. 

26 

John Adams, the second president of the U. S., was 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


O 


born at Braintree, Mass., Oet. 19 (O. S.), 1735, and 
died July 4, 1826. 

27 

Anastatic printing, by means of raised type, for the 
use of the blind, was invented by Baldermus in 1841. 

28 

Alaska has an area of 577,390 square miles. Pota¬ 
toes and turnips are its chief crops. Alaska is often 
called the Land of Volcanoes, 61 having been found 
within its limits. 

29 

John Q. Adams, the sixth president of the U. S., 
was born at Braintree, Mass., July 11, 1767, and died 
at Washington, Feb. 23, 1848. 

30 

Asia is the largest of the important land divisions 
of the Eastern Hemisphere; and it is believed to be 
the section where the human race first began ; and it 
has been proved beyond doubt that Asia was the birth¬ 
place of Christianity. The area of the country is 
12,000,000 square miles, and in 1884, its population 
was 650,000,000, which is over one half that of the 
civilized world. 

31 

Chester A. Arthur, 22d president of the U. S., was 
born in Franklin Co., Yt., Oct. 5, 1830. - 


6 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


32 

The climate of Austria is very mild and pleasant. 
Its lands, especially those along the coast, are very 
fertile. The chief crops are hemp, flax and hops. 
Gold, silver, copper, lead and tin are mined to a con¬ 
siderable extent. The area of the country is 230,000 
square miles. Its population in 1880 was 40,000,000. 

33 

The highest peak of the Alleghenies is Mt. Marcy, 
which rises to the height of 5337 feet. 

34 

Queen Anne had 17 children, of whom, only one 
survived infancy, dying at the age of 11 years. 

35 

Africa has a population of 100,000,000, and has an 
area of 12,000,000 square miles. The extent of the 
Great Desert is 1000 square miles. The chief exports 
of Africa are wool, olive oil, coral and sponges. The 
country is partly under the French government. 

36 

The anemometer, an instrument for measuring the 
force of the wind, was invented by Wolfius in 1709. 

37 

Australia is a large division of the Eastern Ilemi- 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


7 


sphere lying south-east of Asia. It is surrounded by 
the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It has an area of 
2,470,000 square miles, and its population in 1884 was 
2,336,223'. The soil is well adapted for all crops 
growing in the southern climate. 

38 

Arlington Heights, the early home of Martha Wash¬ 
ington, is now used for the nation'al cemetery. Here, 
beneath the shade of sturdy oaks which have with¬ 
stood the tempest and tumult of a century or more, 
lie 16,264 heroes of the Rebellion, awaiting the call 

of their Great Commander. 

* 

39 

The venerable Bede, in the Monastery of St. Peter 
at Wearmouth, was the first to translate any part 
of the Bible into the English language. He patiently 
pursued his work, until he had produced a perfect 
copy of the Gospel of St John; which noble work he 
completed upon the day of his death. 

40 

Bellows were invented by Anacharsis, in 593 B. c. 

41 

The most wonderful thing about Belgium is its 
silver mines. Over 2,000,000,000 dollars worth of 


8 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


the precious metal has already been mined, and the 
supply is believed to be inexhaustible. 

42 

The honor of making the first balloon belongs to 
J. Montgolfier. It was made of linen cloth lined 
with paper, under which a fire was built and fed with 
chopped straw, the smoke from which filled the bag, 
and caused it to rise. The date of this grand event 
was June 5, 1783. The balloon rose to the height of 
2,224 feet. 

43 

Belgium is situated upon the western side of Europe, 
and is separated from England by the German ocean. 
Its area is 113,665 square miles. The mineral pro¬ 
duct are richer and more varied than in almost any 
other part of Europe; they are chiefly gold, silver, 
iron, lead and zinc. The chief crops are rice, oats, 
wheat and barley. In 1883, the population of Bel¬ 
gium was 5,655,197. 

44 

The ancient city of Babylon was situated upon both 
sides of the Euphrates. It stood upon a broad plain, 
and was surrounded by a wall 50 feet wide and 200 
feet high, and upon the upper edge of this wall were 
small buildings, facing one another with room between 
them for the passage of a four-horse team. The city 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


9 


was entered by 100 gates, all of brass. The area of 
Babylon is 196 square miles. 

45 

Victoria Bridge, over the St. Lawrence river, at 
Montreal, is the longest bridge in Canada. Its length 
being 10,560 feet. 

46 

The New York and Brooklyn suspension bridge is 
3,775 feet long, and is 135 feet from the water. 

47 

The first Bible was printed in Hebrew and appeared 


Brazil has an area of 3,200,000 square miles. It is 
the largest state in So. America. It has a standing 
army of 13,500 men, and a navy of 4000, and 21 iron 
clads. The mineral productions of Brazil are very 
great. They are perhaps more varied than in any 
other part of the world. The chief crops are cotton, 
sugar and coffee. Among the chief products are 
India rubber and wood. The population of Brazil in 
1880 was 10,200,000. 

49 

The barometer was invented by Evangelista Torri¬ 
celli in 1643. 


10 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


50 

P. T. Barnum, the king of showmen, was bora at 
Bethel, Ct., July 5, 1810. 


51 

Boston was settled in the year 1630; for the first 
150 years of its existence, its growth was very slow; 
but since that date, it has been very steady and rapid, 
until to-day, it stands seventh in the U. S. in point of 
population, which in 1880, was 362,839. There are 
in the city to-day, over 17,487 children, unable to 
read and write, although they have reached the age 
of ten years. Boston has been one of the largest shoe 
and leather markets in the world, and the leading 
one of the country for American dry goods. It has 
the finest public buildings of any city of its size in 
the U. S. Its wharves have the finest facilities for 
loading and unloading ships of any city in America. 

52 

Brass is made by mixing copper and zinc. It was 
largely used before the discovery of iron. 

53 

There are 255,651 blind people in the Old World. 

54 

The first book appeared 667 B. c., and was written 
on stone tablets. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


11 


55 

John Brown was born at Torrington, Ct., May 9, 
1800, and was hanged at Charlestown, Va., Dec. 2, 
1859. 

50 

The first bank ever established was the Bank of 
Venice in the year 1171. 

57 

The bagpipe is one of the most ancient of musical 
instruments. It was formerly looked upon with great 
favor; but is little used at the present date, except 
by the Scotch Highlanders. 

58 

As the traveler enters Baltimore, he is particularly 
struck with its fine appearance. Its chief places of 
interest are Patterson Park and Federal Hill. The 
park is well laid out, and forms an elegant 12-mile 
drive, The public buildings are large and well built. 
Nearly every branch of business is carried on in the 
place. The city is entered by five lines of railroad, 
and a large number of steamboat lines. The popu¬ 
lation of the place in 1880 was 332,290. 

50 

The custom of placing bells in churches originated 
in Greece, in a. d. 400. 

00 

The most ancient bottles were made of the skins 


12 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


of animals. The first mention of them in the Bible 
is in the book of Joshua. 


61 

Book-keeping is a very old study. The first known 
work upon the subject was by Lucas de Borgo, pub¬ 
lished in 1495. 

62 

There are about 108,000 bankers in the U. S. 


Buffaloes were once found in great numbers even 
on the Atlantic coast, but the}' are now rapidly becom¬ 
ing extinct, and their skins are fast increasing in value. 

61 

Buffalo, N. Y., is 265 miles west of Albany, at the 
eastern extremity of Lake Erie. It ranks 10th among 
the cities of America in point of population, which in 
1880 was 155,137. The city has its full share of fine 
buildings, among which are the Custom House and 
Post Office. Considerable manufacturing is carried 
on in the place. It is also one of the greatest railroad 
centres of the West. The city was founded in 1801. 

65 

Mt. Brown in B. A. is 15,900 feet high. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


I n 
O 


66 

Buttons were first made in Vienna in 1584. 


67 

The battle of Bunker Hill was fought June 17, 
1775. It is not generally known there were 145 
killed. 

68 


Brown’s University of Providence, R. I., was orig¬ 
inally known as R. I. College. Its name was changed 
in honor of Nichols Brown, who was for 24 years its 
secretary. After accepting the office, he presented 
the college with $5,000. In 1824 he erected a new 
college building at his own expense. His gifts to 
the college in all amounted to not less than $100,000. 

60 

Beets grow wild in Egypt. 

4 

70 

The first bank bill was issued in 1095. 


71 

Brooklyn stands third in point of population, among 
the cities of the U. S. In 1880 it was 566,689. Its 
greatest length is seven and one half miles, and its 
greatest width is five miles. The city offers many 
attractions to visitors. Its public buildings are world- 


14 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


renowned for their size and beauty. The chief busi¬ 
ness of the place is the foundries. The city is entered 
by 24 lines of horse railroad. The first settlement in 
Brooklyn was made in 1G36. 


72 

Bunker Hill monument is built of Quincy granite. 
Its bight is 221 feet. It is 31 feet square at the base, 
and 15 at the top. The inside is a hollow cone encir¬ 
cled by a winding staircase, composed of 294 steps, 
which leads to a chamber at the top, 11 feet square. 
This chamber has four windows, from which the view 
of the surrounding country is very fine. The corner¬ 
stone of Bunker Hill monument was laid by Lafayette 
June 17, 1825. 

73 

The Bank of England was established in 1694, with 
a capital stock of £200,000. 


74 

Mt. Blanc is 15,786 feet high. 


75 

There are 60 people born into the world every 
minute. 


76 


The first bank in the U. S. was established in 1790 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


15 


77 

The clock was invented in the year 1100. 

78 

There are about 4000 camels used in the transpor¬ 
tation of articles across the Great Desert. 

79 

The camel machine was invented by Marcus Miller, 
of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1688. 

80 

The cannon was invented by John Owen in 618 b, c. 

81 

The annual use of coffee is about 8,000,000,000 lbs. 


82 

Connecticut was first settled at Windsor in 1788. 
The state has an area of 4845 square miles. The 
soil is adated to the growth of all the cereal grains. 
The state is largely engaged in manufactures. The 
principal are clocks, watches and India rubber goods. 
A little copper, lead and silver are also mined in 
different parts of this state. 

83 

t 

The compass was invented by Chinese 1115 b. c. 


1(5 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


. 84 

Mt. Charlotte in So. America is 21,000 feet high. 

85 

The principal chalk cliffs are along the shores of 
the English Channel. 

80 

John Cabot, during his voyage in 1497, made the 
first attempt to discover the Northern passage. 

87 

Canada once was a much larger tract than at present. 
It extended beyond the boundary lakes, and was 
under the French government. It is now chiefly 
made up of the region lying in the St. Lawrence 
basin, including both the gulf and river. Canada is 
the most valuable province of the United Kingdom. 
It has 9,06(5 miles of railroad. Iron, copper, lead and 
zinc are extensively mined, also gold and silver to a 
limited extent. The chief agricultural product of 
Canada is wheat. The area of the province is 
3,204,381 square miles, and its population in 1880 
was 1,352,080. 

88 

The first calico that appeared in market was adorned 
with the figure of a parsley leaf. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


17 


89 

The camera obscura was invented by Roger Bacon 
in 1297. 

90 

The cotton gin was invented by Eli Whitney of 
North borough, Mass., in 1794. 

91 

North Carolina has an area of 48,580 square miles. 
The first settlement in the state was made at Smith- 
ville in 1650. The state is noted for its abundance of 
water power, of which it has a greater supply than 
any other state in the U. S. The first gold mines in 
America were found here in 1820. They have yielded 
many millions of dollars, and will yield many more; 
some nuggets have been taken from these mines that 

“o 

weighed 28 lbs. It is estimated, by the best of judges, 
that there is gold enough in N. C. to cancel the 
national debt. Four fifths of the surface of the state 
is yet covered with valuable timber. The chief crops 
are wheat and sweet potatoes. The population of 
the state in 1880 was 1,399,750. 

92 

The first Congress sat on the 4th of March, 1789. 

93 

Callas grow in great abundance along the Cape of 
Good Hope. 

2 


18 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


94 

The Cathedral oi' St. Peter at Rome is the largest 
and finest upon the globe. 

95 

Cleveland, Ohio, is the second city in size and im¬ 
portance in the state of Ohio. It lies on the south 
shore of Lake Erie. The growth of the city has been 
rapid from the first. Its population in 1880 was 
100,142. The place is very tastefully laid out; it is 
often called the forest city, on account of its abun¬ 
dance of trees. Its public buildings are of the finest 
and most substantial build. The nicest residences are 
on Euclid avenue, which is one of the best streets 
on the continent. Five lines of railroad enter the 
city. It also has a large lake traffic. 


96 


The camera lucida was invented by Dr. Hooke in 
1635. 


97 


The chronoscope was invented by Wheatstone in 
1840. 


98 


Grover Cleveland was born at Caldwell, N. J., 
March 18, 1837. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


19 


99 

Copyrights are granted for 28 years, and they can 
be renewed for 14 more. 

100 

There are 12 metal counties in the U. S. 

101 

Cuba has an area of about 40,000 square miles. 
It has an almost perpetual summer climate, having 
no dry seasons. Nearly all tropical fruits are grown 
in great abundance. Sugar and tobacco constitute its 
chief crops; these also form its leading commerce. 
Cuba was discovered in 1492, but was not perma¬ 
nently settled until 1511. 

102 

James Hargreaves built the first cotton mill ever 
erected, which he located at Nottingham, England. 

O 7 O 

103 

The best cranberries on earth are raised on Cape 


Chicago is the largest city in Illinois. Its population 
'in 1880 was 503,304. Chicago is noted for its rapid 
growth even from its first settlement. It has been 
very steadily increasing, until to-day it stands fourth 
in size among the cities of the U. S. Its streets and 


20 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


public buildings are very attractive. It is brimful 
of enterprise ; nearly every branch of trade is carried 
on. Chicago is the leading R. R. centre in the West; 
its lake traffic is also immense. 

105 

There is an average value of $333,191,700 worth of 
codfish sold yearly. 

10G 

There are 50,512,000 tons of coal mined in the 
U. S. annually. 

107 

South Carolina has an area of 30,170 square miles; 
its greatest length is 275 miles ; its greatest width is 
210 miles. A little more than one third of the state 
is under cultivation; the balance is forest, swamp, 
and marsh. The northwest part of the state is 
rich in minerals, chief among which are gold, silver, 
iron, copper, lead and coal. Marble and slate quar¬ 
ries are also abundant. Fine sand, for making glass, 
is found in great quantities. Rice and cotton are the 
staple crops. In 1880 the population of the state was 
995,577. The state was first settled in 1670. 

108 

Cabbages grow wild in Alaska. 

109 

The first message that ever passed over the Atlantic 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


21 


cable was sent by its originator, Cyrus W. Field, and 
was as follows: 

“ Hearts Content, Jtdy 27, 1866. 

“We arrived here at 9 o’clock this morn in o*. all 
well. Thank God that the cable is laid and in perfect 
working order.” 

110 

China has an area of 3,741,878 square miles. The 
scenery is very fine, and the soil rich and fertile. No 
country upon the globe can show a greater variety of 
vegetation, than China; but the chief crops are rice, 
fruits and spices; drugs are also largely cultivated. 
The chief industry of China is the keeping of silk 
worms. The chief minerals are gold, silver, iron, 
copper and coal. The population of the empire in 
1885 was 374,626,000. 

111 

It is estimated that 75,000 people die with cancers 
yearly. 

112 

* 

Cincinnati is the largest city in Ohio. It is on the 
right bank of the Ohio river, in the southwest part 
of the state. Both the public buildings and residences 
of the city are world renowned. They are surrounded 
by lovely grounds, which are laid out in a most 
beautiful manner. There are no less than 150 churches 
in the city. Fourteen lines of railroad pass through 
the city. The manufactures are very large and varied. 
The population of Cincinnati was 255,708 in 1880. 


22 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


113 

China sent a large stone to be used in the construc¬ 
tion of the Washington monument. 


114 

There are about 6,590,000 bushels of corn raised in 
the U. S. annually. 

115 

John Cabot discovered North America. 

110 

Travelers cannot help being pleased with the 
climate and scenery of Colorado. The mineral wealth 
of the state is very great; consisting of gold, silver, 
iron and copper, embracing an area of fifty miles 
in width, running the entire length of the state north 
and south ; the annual production of minerals amounts 
to $100,000,000. The chief crops are wheat, rye, 
oats and barley. The state has an area of 105,645 
square miles, and its population in 1880 was 194,225. 
The first settlement in the state was made in Denver 
in 1858. 

117 

California is the second state in the Union in point 
of area, which is 155,980 square miles. The surface 
of the state is broken by high mountains, which are 
covered with perpetual snow. The mineral wealth 
of California is equal to any section upon the globe; 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


23 


gold, silver, copper and lead are mined in considera¬ 
ble quantities. The principal crops are wheat, rye, 
barley and fruit. Two crops of the latter are often 
raised. The population of the state in 1880 was 
861,691. 

118 

Horace Ivibbe and Co., the world renowned confec¬ 
tioners of Springfield, Mass., have for years carried 
on the largest business in their line in the U. S. 


110 

The Dead Sea is 66 miles long and 10 miles wide. 
Its waters are so brackish that no fish can live in it. 

120 

Dancing was first taught about 1500 b. c. 

o © 


121 

Virginia Dale, born August 18, 1587, was the first 
white child born of English parents on American soil. 

% 

122 

The only dark day, of which there is any historical 
record, is that of Friday, May 19, 1790. The dark¬ 
ness beo-an to come on between the hours of 10 and 

O 

11 o’clock A. m., and increased so rapidly that before 
11, ordinary work had to be given up. The people 
were greatly panic stricken, supposing that the Day 
of Judgment had arrived. 


24 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


123 

Dartmouth College was opened in 1770. 

124 

Our best dates come from the East Indies. 

125 

Professor Charles B. Drawh of Edinburgh, Scot¬ 
land, was a true and noble friend to his countrymen, 
whom he served faithfully until his death, which 
occurred Feb. 12, 1809. 

126 

Davenport, the capital of Scott county, Iowa, is 
upon the right bank of the Mississippi river, 1G0 
miles west of Chicago. The city is built upon a bluff 
three and one half miles long and enclosed on the 
land side by high hills. In 1880 the place contained 
23,830 inhabitants. There is a large amount of busi¬ 
ness carried on, which, however, is mainly manufac¬ 
turing of agricultural tools, carriages, sash and blinds. 
Davenport is the largest grain depot on the Missis¬ 
sippi. It has a large river traffic. The C. R. I. & 
P. Railroad passes through the place. 

127 

King David was born at Bethlehem in 1085 n. c. 

128 

Jeff. Davis was born in Christian Co., Kentucky, 
June 3, 1808. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


25 


129 

Damascus lies 147 miles east of Lebanon and 86 
miles southwest of Jerusalem. It is completely 
hemmed in by olive trees. It looks so beautiful 
from afar that it is very rightfully called the Gem 
of the East. In 1880 Damascus had an inhabitance 
of 120,000. Like the other cities of the Holy Land, it 
is walled. 

180 

The first deacons were chosen at Jerusalem by 
special wish of the apostles. 

181 

Deal is one of the principal market towns of Kent, 
England, and is of considerable historical renown, 
from the fact that Caesar began his invasion there in 
54 b. c. 

182 

There are 18,205 deaf mutes in the U. S. 

* 

183 

Delaware is the smallest state in the Union except 
R. I. Its area is 2,224 square miles. The first set¬ 
tlement in the state was made in 1638. The most of 
the state is low and level. Considerable iron and 
copper are found in different parts of the state. It is 
also rich in porcelain clay. Fruit and vegetables are 
the chief crops. Nearly every kind of manufacturing 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


26 

is carried on. In 1880 the population of the state 
was 146,654. 

134 

The only deaf mutes’ college in the world was 
founded at Washington, D. C., in 1864. Students 
from all parts of the universe are admitted. 

135 

An average of 1500 letters are received daily at the 
Dead Letter Office in Washington, D. C. 

136 

Demavend Mt. is 13,000 feet high. 

137 

Holland has the greatest number of dykes of any 
country in the world. 

138 

The area of Dakota is 150,932 square miles. The 
first settlement was made in 1859. Except through¬ 
out the Black Hill region in the western part, the 
country is yet thinly settled. Gold, silver, iron, salt, 
nickel, lead and tin are largely mined. Wheat, rye, 
oats, barley and corn are the chief crops. The pop¬ 
ulation of Dakota in 1880 was 135,177. 

139 

t 

Very choice diamonds are found in Belfast, Ireland. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


27 


140 

The dime was first coined in 1796. 

141 

Anaximander invented the dial in 550 b. c. 

142 

The Devil s Lake, in northern Dakota, is a lovely 
sheet of water, 40 miles long, and from 6 to 15 miles 
wide. 

143 

The diving bell was first invented in 1509. 

144 


Dublin is pleasantly located on Dublin bay, and is 
a city of which every Irishman may well be proud. 
It is particularly noted for its educational institutions. 
The public buildings are substantially built, but do 
not show much architectural taste. Stockings are the 
principal articles manufactured. The population of 
Dublin in 1886 was 249,486. 


145 


The art of dyeing wool is one of the oldest on 

4 j CD 

record. 


146 


Doe skin was in common use as early as 1000 b. c. 


28 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


147 


The first known dictionary was found in the ruins 
of Nineveh. 


148 


Detroit is the Queen City of Michigan. In 1880 it 
had 133,269 inhabitants. It is located as well, if not 
better, for general business than an} 7 city in the state. 
It lies upon Detroit river, seven miles from Lake St. 
Clair, and 10 miles from Lake Erie. Eight impor¬ 
tant lines of railroad enter the city, so that either by 
river, lake or railroad the products of the city can be 
easily shipped to any part of the country. Almost 
every conceivable thing is made in the place. Detroit 
is finely laid out and the people are justly proud of 
its public buildings, the finest of which are the city 
hail and public library; the former was erected in 
1871 at a cost of $60,000. It has also one of the finest 
opera houses in the country. 


149 

Fred Douglass, the most noted colored man in 
America, was born in 1817. 

150 

One of the finest doors in the U. S. is the Roofers’ 
bronze door that hangs at the main entrance of the 
U. S. Capitol, the cost of which was $30,000. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


29 


151 

The most memorable duel ever fovifflit in America 

o 

is that which took place upon the morning of July 11, 
1804, between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, 
in which the latter was killed. 

. 152 

The area of Denmark is 14,553 square miles. The 
soil along the coast is well adapted to agriculture, 
while that of the exterior is so dry as to be almost a 
desert. Turf is the principal fuel; linen and woolen 
goods, boots and shoes, and agricultural tools are 
the leading manufactures. 


158 

Druids were first known in history about a century 
before Christ. The people stood in great fear of 
them. They lived in rude huts in the deep forest 
and seemed to find their greatest pleasure in torturing 
those who did not readily obey them. 

154 

Dentistry is of European origin, having been prac¬ 
ticed there from the earliest time. 

loo 

Dan, once a city in northern Palestine, lies 25 
miles north of Galilee, at the foot of Mt. Hermit. 
There are some old ruins to be found there which are 


30 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


well worth a careful examination. It was here that 
the golden calf was set up for worship by Jeroboam. 

156 

The dam at Holyoke, Mass., is the longest in the 
U. S., its length being 1017 feet. 

157 

The town of Dedham, Mass., has one of the oldest 
houses in the U. S. It was built by John Fairbanks, 
in 1640, and is still in a good state of preservation. 
It is now occupied by the 8th generation of the Fair¬ 
banks family. 

158 

The safety lamp for the use of miners was invented 
by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1813. 

159 

Mt. St. Elias in B. A. is 17,900 feet high. 

160 

The gold eagle was first coined in 1795. 

161 

“ Earl ” is one of the most honorary titles among the 
noblemen of England. They are intrusted with the 
government of the different shires or counties. Of 
course, more or less oversight is kept upon them by 
the occupant of the throne. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


31 


162 

The crust of the earth is about 50 miles in thickness. 


163 

Easter Island, in the eastern part of the Pacific 
Ocean, is 2300 miles.from S. A. It was discovered 
by Roggeween, a Dutch navigator, in 1722. Its 
length is only 11 miles and its breadth 6 miles. 
Three very large extinct volcanoes, which rise to the 
height of 1200 feet above the sea, are to be seen on 
its eastern shore. The. soil of this island is very 
fertile and yields large crops, especially of grain. 
The people belong to the Patagonian race. 


164 


Engravings were first made bv the Chinese in 

1000 b. c. 


165 


The best black ebony grows in Ceylon and Mada¬ 
gascar. 


166 


There are 50 kinds of eels. Their length is from 
two to eight feet. They live upon small fish, and 
are found plenty in shallow water. 


167 

When earthen ware was first used is unknown, but 
it was in common use in Egypt some 2000 years b. c. 


32 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


168 

The exact location of the Garden of Eden is not 
known, but it is thought to have been at Nineveh. 


169 

The average eagle weighs 12 pounds. Its length 
is 3 feet, 2 inches, and spread of wings 7 feet. 


170 


The electric clock was invented by Wheatstone 
in 1840. 

171 


Egypt occupies the valley of the Nile. Little rain 
falls there excepting in summer, when the rains are 
very heavy, often overflowing the streams and doing 
great damage. The area of Egypt is 1,406,250 square 
miles; the population in 1888, 16,952,000. 


172 

The egg plant is a native of N. A. Its height is 
about two feet. It has a long prickly leaf. The 
flower is violet color. The fruit, which is about the 
size and shape of a crow’s egg, is much used for food. 

173 

The electoral vote of 1884 was 401. 

174 

Edinburgh occupies a splendid situation and is 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


33 


beautifully laid out with parks and public gardens. 
The best edifices in Scotland are here. The principal 
businesses of the place comprise printing and book 
binding, foundries and smelting works. The popu¬ 
lation of Edinburgh is about 230,000. 

175 

Electrotyping was first invented by Spencer in 1837. 


176 

The first specimens of emerald came from near 
Cork, Ireland. 

177 

Some of the best emery in the world is to be found 
in Chester, Mass. 

178 

The area of Lake Erie is 9600 square miles. 


176 

There are five Essex counties in the U. S. 


180 

Ritner estimates the area of Europe to be 3,800,000 
square miles, and its population was 309,778,300 in 
1885. 

181 

Nothing is known about Eve after the birth of Seth. 
3 


34 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


182 

Mt. Evans Peak in Colorado is 21,330 feet high 

183 

Ether was first used in 1846. 

184 

England is the most important part of the United 
Kingdom, having an area of 50,922 square miles. 
The mineral wealth is great; coal, copper, lead, iron, 
zinc and tin are all largely mined. There is a greater 
variety of soil in England than in any other part of 
the world. The principal crops are wheat, rye, oats, 
barley, hemp and flax. The manufactures are nu¬ 
merous and varied; it is said that there are no better 
goods on the globe than those offered in English 
markets. The educational advantages offered bv 

- 4 / 

England are second to none. 

185 

Egbert was the first monarch that reigned over all 

o O 

Britain, llis reign was from a. d. 827 to 836. 


186 

The severest earthquake on record in the eastern 
states occurred Nov. 18, 1755. It began in Massachu¬ 
setts with a noise like that of thunder, followed by so 
violent a rocking of the earth that people out of doors 
were obliged to grasp a firm hold on trees and other 


OF CHOICE IXFORMATION. 


35 


immovable objects to prevent being thrown upon the 
ground. The damage to Boston alone was no less 
tiian $300,01)0. 

187 

Little was known of electricity until near the close 
of the 16th century. One Dr. Elliot of Madrid made 
so extensive a study of the science that by many he 
has been called its founder. 

188 

The full-grown elephant is 12 feet in height and 
weighs about 5 tons. The elephant lives to the age 
of from 200 to 210 years. 

189 

The annual emigration to the U. S. is 400,000. 

190 

Emigration did not begin to any great extent until 
about 1498. 

191 

An elephant will drink if dry from 60 to 80 gallons 
of water. 

192 

Mt. Etna in Sicily is 10,835 feet high. 

193 

The first work on electrical science appeared in 
1550. 


36 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


104 

The present system of exchange began in 1600. 

105 

The fire engine was invented by Hantsch in 1657. 

106 

Mt. Freemont Peak in Wyoming is 13,570 feet high. 

107 

By far the most severe famine on record occurred 
in Ireland in 1847. 

108 

There are 39 national flags. 


100 

The custom of holding county fairs originated in 
Greece 50 years b. C. 

200 

There were 890 Union men killed in the battle of 
Fair Oaks. 

201 

Fall River, Mass., lies on Mt. Hope bay, which is 
an arm of Narragansett bay. It is one of the liveliest 
cities in the state, and is largely engaged in manu¬ 
facturing, principally cotton and woolen. In 1880 
there were more spindles flying at Fall River than at 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


37 


any place in the state. Almost everything under 
heaven is made in the place. The streets and public 
buildings compare well with any city of its size in the 
world. The Old Colony and B. & P. Lines pass 
through the place. Lines of steamers run daily to 
New York and Boston. The population in 1885 was 
56,870. 

202 

The manufacture of fans was begun in Florence, 
700 a. D. There are about 7,000,000 fans made there 
annually. 

203 

Fast Dav has been observed in New England since 

v O 

1629. 


204 


Our Friday is the Turkish Sunday. 


205 

It takes five and one half bushels of good wheat to 
make a barrel of flour. 

206 

Florida was settled in 1565. Its area is 59,468 
square miles. In, 1880 the population of this state 
was 269,493. The climate is finer than that of any 
state in the Union. In the southern part there is but 
very little change of clime. The thermometer ranges 
a,t about 75 degrees above zero during winter. There 
is a difference of about 25 degrees between the coldest 


38 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


day of winter and the warmest day of summer. The 
agricultural crops are those common to the tropics; 
tropical fruits thrive there as in no other state. Sugar 
and molasses are the principal articles of manufac¬ 
ture. Ferns vary from 2 inches to 50 feet in height. 
They reach the greater height only in tropical cli¬ 
mates. 

207 

A ferry cannot be started in England without a 
special grant from the occupant of the throne. 

208 

The Feudal System was brought from Normandv 
to England by William the Conqueror. 


200 

Millard Fillmore was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
Jan. 7, 1800. 

210 

Dr. Ridge’s celebrated food is manufactured at 
Palmer, Mass. 

211 

John Jacob Astor was for many years the largest 
fur trader in the world. 

oio 


On the first day of January, 1880, there were 25,000 
glass furnaces in the United States. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


89 


213 

The world renowned philosopher and statesman, 
Benjamin Franklin, was born at Boston, Jan. 17, 1706, 
and died in Philadelphia, April 17, 1790. 

214 

There are 24 Franklin counties in the United States. 


215 

The fibres of the flax plant have been used from 
the earliest time in the manufacture of linen. 


216 


The flute is more used in England than in any other 
part of the world. 

217 


There are several floating 

o 

Italy. 


218 


islands near Florence, 


The area of France is 204,355 square miles, and it 
has a sea coast of 1551 miles. The surface of the 
country is naturally high and the soil sandy, but fertile 
and productive. About one sixth of the surface of 
France is covered with wood and timber, and the 
agricultural products are very large and varied. The 
country is particularly rich in minerals; coal and 
iron are the principal ones ; marble and slate quarries 
are abundant. The leading manufactures of the 
country are silk and linen ; about $200,000,000 worth 


40 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


of the former are exported yearly. In 1880 the 
population of France was 37,000,000. 


210 

The flint has been used for 4000 years. 

220 

The fogs are nowhere so dense as about London. 

221 

In old times there was a religious feast called the 
Feast of Fools. 

222 

Table forks began to be used as an experiment 
toward the latter part of the 12th century. 

223 

In England, until quite recently, one convicted of 
forgery has been immediately hanged. 


The first gold francs were coined in 13G0, and the 
first silver ones were coined in 1575. 

oox 

Frankfort, Germany, is a city of which every 
German may well feel proud. Its streets and public 
buildings are a treat to behold. 

C* 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


41 


226 

Some seven eighths of the figs used in the United 
States and Great Britain are raised in Turkey. 

227 

That the casting of metals is one of the most 
ancient industries is proved by the fact that the first 
furnace, of which there is any record, was started at 
Jerusalem 2000 years b. c. 


228 

Faneuil Hall was built and given to Boston by 
Peter Faneuil in 1742. 

220 

One of the worst fires on record occurred in Lon¬ 
don on Sept. 2, 1666; over 13,000 buildings were 
destroyed. 

280 

In ancient times gloves w'ere given to bind bargains. 

281 

Mt. Mansfield has the honor of being the highest 
peak of the Green Mountains; its height is 4299 feet. 

282 

Greenwood cemetery contains 413 acres of land 
which cost the city of Brooklyn $227,000. Nearly 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


42 


one fourth of its area is covered with a heavy growth 
of handsome maples. It is one of the most finely 
laid out burial grounds in the world. It was opened 
in 1842. 

233 

The king of warriors and statesmen, U. S. Grant, 
was born at Pleasant Pt., Ohio, on the 27th of April, 
1822. 

234 

The geographical globe appeared about the year 
575 b. c. 

235 

The first gas ever used for lighting was made by 
Wm. Murdoch of Redruth, England, in 1792. 


236 

The gas meter was invented by Clegg, in 1815. 


237 


Geographical maps were first made by Anaximander 
in 550 b. c. 


238 


The area of Greece is 18,500 square miles. Nearly 
the entire surface of the country is mountainous, and 
the scenery is extremely fine. The climate is mild 
and pleasant, and the soil is fertile enough to feed 
twice its population, which in 1884 was 1,447,894, 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


43 


But little attention is paid to agriculture. A few 
cotton, woolen and silk goods are manufactured. 

239 

James A. Garfield was born at Cuyahoga county, 
Ohio, Nov. 19, 1831; he was shot July 2, 1881, and 
died Sept. 19th of the same year. 

240 

About 8000 feet of gas can be made from a ton of 
good coal. 

241 

The galvanic battery was invented by Volta in 1702. 

242 

The guillotine was first used in France, April 25, 
1792, Dr. Guillotin , from whom it takes its name, 
having proposed its adoption by the National As¬ 
sembly. 

243 

Germany is made up of 26 separate states, having 
an area of 211,495 square miles. The surface of the 
country is considerably diversified ; the northern part 
is a wide plain extending to the coast, while the 
remainder of the country is broken ever and anon by 
hills and mountains. Germany has quite an amount 
of picturesque scenery. The land is fertile and well 
adapted to agriculture. The chief crops are tobacco, 


44 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


turnips and liax. The manufactures of Germany 
embrace almost everything to be thought of. Its 
population in 1884 was 45,234,061. 

244 

Wild goats are plenty along the mountains of Asia 
Minor and Persia. 

245 

The Ganges river is 1570 miles long. 

246 

Gardner, Mass., is one of the largest chair manu¬ 
facturing towns in the world. 


247 

The house in which the first wedding that ever took 
place in the state of Connecticut was celebrated is 
still standing at Guilford. The guests were served 
to pork and beans. 

248 

In 1870 Clarence King discovered an actual glacier 
upon the north side of Mt. Shasta in Northern Cali¬ 
fornia. 

249 

Georgia was the last of the original 13 states to be 
settled. The first settlement was made at Savannah 
in 1733. The true area of the state is 58,000 square 
miles. It is divided into three divisions, known as 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


45 


upper, lower, and middle Georgia, all of which differ 
in climate, soil and productions. There are but few 
states more productive than Georgia, in a mineral 
way. Gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, nickel, and 
asbestos are largely m : ned. Granite, marble and 
other valuable stones are extensively quarried. The 
agricultural crops of Georgia are chiefly rice, tobacco, 
cotton, corn, and wheat. It is yearly becoming more 
and more largely engaged in manufacturing, and bids 
fair, ere long, to produce more cotton goods for 
Northern markets than any other Southern state. In 
1880 the population of Georgia was 1,542,180. 

250 

Thus far there have been four Georges upon the 
throne of England. 

251 

The first exploring expedition in search of geo¬ 
graphical knowledge was made by Necho about the 
year 600. b. c. 

252 

Ginger is grown mostly in Northern Africa and 
Southern Asia. 

258 

German silver is made of six parts of copper, two 
of zinc and two of nickel. 

254 

Germany has 304 rivers. 


46 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


Lake George in northern N. Y. is a splendid sheet 
of water 36 miles long and from three fourths to four 
miles wide. 

256 

Gloves were worn as earl}’ as the time of Cyrus the 
Great, about 560 b. c. 

257 

Gold was first discovered on Mt. Kennelworth. 

258 

There is no better granite on earth than that quar¬ 
ried at Fitzwilliams, N. II. 

259 

A giraffe when fully grown is 17 feet high. 

260 

The first gold discovered in California was found 
at Sutters Mills on the morning of Feb. 2, 1848. Mr. 
John A. Mitchell was the actual discoverer. 

261 

The average height of a gorilla is 5 ft. 8 in. 

262 

The best glue is made from the parings of ox hides, 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


47 


hoofs, horns, etc., which yield from 45 to 50 per cent 
of pure glue. 

263 

Gold-fish were first brought from China. 

264 

One of the worst gales that ever blew in America 
was that of Sept. 23,1815. 

265 

Greek fire was used in war until 1350. 

266 

The last Queen’s Arm guns were made in 1817. 

267 

There are nine kinds of glow-worms. 


268 

The chief crop of Judea is pepper. 

269 

The Hudson river is counted as pretty a stream of 
water as there is upon the globe. 


270 

Hampton Institute for educating the colored youth 


48 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


was founded by the American Miss. Society in Hamp¬ 
ton, Ya., in the year 1870. 

271 

Hanover, N. IL, is noted, among other things, for 
being the birth place of Laura Bridgman. 


272 

Ham was the 3 r oungest son of Noah. 

278 

Ex-president Hayes was born in Ohio, 1817. 


274 

The hydraulic press was invented by Joseph 
Bramah in 179G. 

275 

The week before Easter is called Holy Week in 
honor of Christ’s death. 

276 

Hartford, Conn., is beautifully situated on the Con¬ 
necticut river, 100 miles from New York and 95 miles 
from Boston. The city comprises 10 square miles. 
It is regularly laid out, most of the streets run to the 
river, and as a general thing they run east and west. 
West Main street is the principal thoroughfare. Four 
important lines of railroad enter the city. The public 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


49 


buildings of the place are well and substantially built. 
Its population in 1880 was 42,553. 


277 

The first hatters began business in Newburgh in 


Wm. Henry Harrison was born in Charles City 
county, Va., Feb. 9, 1773, and died in Washington, 
D. C., April 4. 1841, just one month from the time of 

taking his seat in the presidential chair. 

279 

Harvard College was opened in 1638. It received 
its name in honor of Rev. John Harvard, who gave 
one half of his estate, probably something over £700, 
and his library towards its foundation. 

280 

Hav fever was unknown until 1819. 

281 

The human heart is five inches long by nine and 
three fourths wide, and weighs about ten ounces. 

282 

The late Dr. Isaac I. Hayes, who accompanied Dr. 
Kane on the expedition in 1853 by which the open 
4 


50 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


polar sea was discovered, was born in Chester Co., 
Pa., March 5, 1832. 

283 

When and by whom the harp was first made is not 
known ; but that it is of very ancient origin is proved 
by the fact that it was played by the Chaldeans 2500 
years b. c. 

281 

One of the oldest harpsichords on record is the one 
given to Miss Nellie Custis by her stepfather, George 
Washington, for which he paid $1,000. 

285 

Hard-tack crackers were first made in 1850. 

286 

Harper’s Ferry, Va., has been twice taken by oppos¬ 
ing forces. First by John Brown in 1859, and again 
by the Union army in 1861. 


287 

Havana, Cuba, takes a high rank among the com¬ 
mercial seaports of the world. 

288 


The area of Hayti is about 28,030 square miles in¬ 
cluding the islands of Tortuga, Gonaive, etc. It is 
the most beautiful of the West India islands 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


51 


Among its chief exports are coffee, cotton, and 
cocoa. 

289 

Hebrew history goes back to 2000 b. c. 

290 

The hemp plant is a native of India. It has been 
cultivated from the earliest time. 


291 


King Herod was born at Ascalon in 72 b. c. and 
died in 4 a. d. 


292 


Halifax, N. S., is a large and very pretty eit} r . It 
is an important port of entry. There are but few 
better harbors on earth. The people are chiefly 
engaged in fishing 1 , but manufacturing is carried on 
to a considerable extent; indeed the corporations are 
so numerous that they embrace almost everything 
that both British and Yankee ingenuity can devise. 
The public buildings of the city are very fine. Hali¬ 
fax is noted, the world over, for its benevolent insti¬ 
tutions. 

293 

Henry the VIII. of England had six wives. 


294 

The town of Hit, Turkey, impresses the visitor quite 


52 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


unfavorably. The streets are narrow and dirty; the 
only things worthy of note in Hit are a graceful min¬ 
aret and several old tombs. The inhabitants build 
boats, prepare wool, burn lime, manufacture salt, 
and export bitumen and naphtha from pits which have 
been very productive from earl}' ages. 

295 

Homoeopathic system of medicine was first con¬ 
ceived by Samuel Hahnemann in 1790, but was little 
practiced until 1810. 

296 

The area of Holland is 12,597 square miles, and in 
1883 the population was 4,225,065. The country is 
low and flat. The traveler is impressed with the 
neat and home-like appearance of Holland. The 
climate is colder than that of some countries in the 
same latitude. The royal family and a majority of 
fhe inhabitants are of the Reformed church, which is 
under Presbyterian government. The remainder are 
Roman Catholics, Jews, Lutherans, etc. 

297 

Cape Hatteras is noted for having the severest 
storms of any part of the globe, and is perhaps the 
most dangerous projection on the coast of America. 

298 

A vast amount of hops are raised in the middle 
states. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


53 


299 

It has been proved that if a horse has a cold, there 
is nothing better to break it up than horse-chestnuts. 

300 

Cape Horn was first doubled by Schouten in 1610. 

301 

Horse-radish is a native of Southern Eurojie. 

302 

The first known hospital was founded at Cesarea 
in the latter part of the fourth century. 

303 

The area of Hungary proper, after the division of 
1849, is estimated to be about 87,045 square miles. 
The country is noted for its fertile soil. Wheat, corn, 
hemp, and flax are the chief crops; nearly all the 
entire country is adapted to the growth of fruit. The 
mineral wealth of Hungary is very great. Gold, iron 
and copper are the principal, but nearly every known 
kind is found in the country. The leading manufac¬ 
tures are linen, woolen, leather, and paper. 

304 

The Hydraulic ram was invented by Montgolfier in 
1797. 


54 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


305 

The Hudson river is over 300 miles long. 

306 

The first handcuffs were used in Jerusalem 1500 
b. c. 

307 

The worship of idols was introduced by a band of 
Pagans into this country in the year 1500, but after a 
little they were driven back to the land from which 
they came. 

308 

The first Fire Insurance Company was started in 
London in 1588. 

309 

There are 261,000 Indians on the continent. 

310 

Iceland is the most northerly island in the Atlantic 
Ocean. Its area is nearly 40,000 square miles. The 
most wonderful thing about Iceland is, that there are 
hot springs in which one can boil an egg hard in 
three minutes, and within ten rods of the same there 
are perpetual snow banks. 

311 

The old name for Spain was Hispania. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


55 


812 


The largest iceberg on the globe can be seen at 
upper Navyac, a little north of Cape Disconsolate in 
latitude 71. 

318 


The first pair of india rubber shoes ever seen in 
this country were brought here from South America 
in 1820. 

314 


Idaho is by no means a small territory. Its area 
is 86,300 square miles. But little of its surface 
is cultivated, it being for the most part one vast 
pasture, over which large numbers of cattle roam. 
But little attention has been paid to agriculture or 
manufacturing. Idaho is quite rich in minerals, of 
which gold and silver are the leading ones. 


315 

The ice plant is a native of the Canary Islands, 
where it was once largely cultivated for the sake of 
its alkali, which was used for making glass. 

316 

One of the most bloody Indian massacres on record 
is that which occurred at Jamestown, Va. on March 
22, 1622. Three hundred and fifty of the settlers 
were put to death without mercy. 


56 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


817 

The first school for idiots was started by Vincent 
Deport about C75. 

818 

The total area of all the islands upon the globe is 
2,000,000 square miles. 

319 

The business of manufacturing ice is growing so 
rapidly in the southern states that it bids fair erfe long 
to stop the shipment of lake ice. 

320 

Ireland has an area of 32,531 square miles. A 
great portion of the country is bog land. Coal is the 
most plenty of any mineral, but it is of a very poor 
quality. Wheat, oats, barley, and potatoes are the 
chief crops. The pastures are well stocked with 
cattle, sheep and swine. The leading manufacture 
is linen. The population of Ireland in 1881 was 
5,174,836. 

321 

There are 59 Indian agents in the United States. 

322 

The oldest ink on record was made of two parts of 
lamp-black and one of glue. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


57 


323 

Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, is a large and 
beautiful city. The streets are laid out in a fine 
manner and exhibit not a little taste and skill. The 
best public building is the capitol built in 1847. 
Nearly every branch of manufacturing is carried on, 
and the city presents a very lively aspect. Ten lines 
of railroad enter the place. In 1880 the population 
of Indianapolis was 75,054. 

* 324 

Indigo was first used for dyeing in Italy in 1005 a. d. 

325 

The first industrial exhibition was held in Paris in 
1798. 

326 

The first insane asylum was started at Jerusalem 
in 491. 

327 

The area of Iowa is 55,475 square miles. It is one 
of the leading agricultural states of the Union. The 
chief crops are corn, wheat and oats. Coal, iron 
and lead are mined in different parts of the state. Its 
public institutions are among the finest in the country. 
The manufactures are important and progressing 
annually. The population is 1,042,483. 


08 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


328 

There is more iron used than all the other metals 
combined. 

320 

The iron-clad ship was first, used by the Normans 
in the latter part of the 12th century. 


330 


The Indian Ocean is the third largest in the World. 


331 


The first iron was found on Mt. Ida in Crete in 

1500 b. c. 


332 


Italy is noted for its wild and beautiful scenery. 
The climate is mild and pleasant. Scattered here 
and there along the mountains are forests of oak, 
chestnut, pine and fir. The chief agricultural crops 
are grapes, olives, rice, corn, hemp and sugar cane. 
Silk is the most important article of manufacture. 
The area of the country is 114,380 square miles. The 
population in 1880 was 28,559,451. 


333 

There are about 5000 hogsheads of ink used by the 
printers of the United States annually. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


59 


334 

There is no better iron ore in America than that 
found in northern New York. 

335 

India is one of the pleasantest countries in the 
world. Its area is 1,573,504 square miles, and in 
1880 its population was 253,941,309. The climate is 
quite changeable and yet it is extremely healthful. 
Coal, iron and salt are the leading exports. Rice is 
the chief crop, although many of the cereals yield 
largely. India has but few manufactures. 

336 

Isaac, son of Abraham, died at the age of 180 years. 

387 

In some parts of India, the sacred ibis was once 
held in such reverence by the people that if a hunter 
was known to have killed one, he would have been 
put to death at once. 


338 

The only Indian settlement in New England is at 
North Stonington, Connecticut. 


339 

The state of Indiana has an area of 35,910 square 


GO 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


miles. Its surface is level. Heavy forests of oak, 
walnut and ash are scattered here and there over the 
state. Coal is abundant and largely mined. The 
soil is very rich and productive. The chief crops 
are corn, wheat and oats. Considerable manufactur¬ 
ing is carried on throughout the state. In 1880 the 

o o 

population of Indiana was 1,978,301. 

340 

The best iron ore in the world is mined in Norway. 


341 

Lake Itasca is one of the prettiest sheets of water 
on the Western Continent. 


342 

f 

Washington Irving, the celebrated American novel 
writer, was born in 1783 and died in 1859. He was 
buried near “ Sleepy Hollow,” rendered famous by 
his genius. 

343 


There are 1800 men killed in India yearly by wild 
beasts. 


344 


The N. Y. Independent has the largest staff of any 
paper in America. 

345 


Illinois lies so flat that it seems like one vast prairie. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


61 


The area of the state is 56,000 square miles; the soil 
is very fine. Illinois is the leading state of the Union 
in agricultural .industry. Corn, wheat and oats are 
the chief crops. Fruits, large and small, are abun¬ 
dant. The forests of the state consist of ash, walnut, 
hickory and elm. The state ranks second in the 
United States for the production of coal. Lead is 
also mined to a considerable extent. Its lumber 
trade is enormous, and boots and shoes are largely 
manufactured. The population of the state in 1880 
w T as 3,077,871. 

346 

The Iowa river is 300 miles long. 


347 

Iron is used for over 15,000 different purposes. 


348 

The Woonsocket India Rubber Company of Woon¬ 
socket, Rhode Island, is the largest company of its 
kind in the world. 

340 

Indian Territory is a beautiful rolling prairie. On 
the borders of the streams are strips of woodland, 
mostly cotton wood and willows. Its area is 68,830 
square miles. The soil throughout the territory is 
very fertile and yields large crops of grain and veg- 


62 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


etables. It is, in one sense, a prison to the 68,152 
Indians that inhabit it, as no one is allowed to leave 
it without permission from the agent. 

850 

Andrew Jackson was born in the Waxhaw settle¬ 
ment, North Carolina, March 15,1767, and died there 
June 8, 1845. 

851 

Jacob was the second son of Isaac and Rebecca, 
and last of the Hebrew patriarchs. 


The river Jordan is 200 miles long. 


358 

Java is the most fertile tropical island in the 
world. Its area is 49,197 square miles. 

354 

Thomas Jefferson was born at Shadwell, Virginia, 
April 2, 1743. 

355 

Jehoshaphat, fourth king of Judea, was born in 
950 b. c. 

356 

The James river of Virginia is 450 miles long. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


63 


357 


The largest jelly-fish are as large as the largest 
wash tub. 


358 


Japan is one of the most beautiful countries 
known. Its surface is made up of just the right 
blending of mountain, valley, plain, and hill to en¬ 
chant the eye. Tobacco and tea are the chief agri¬ 
cultural crops. The mineral resources of Japan 
consist of gold, silver, iron, lead, copper, sulphur, 
and coal. The area of Japan is about 160,000 square 
miles. Its population in 1884 was 37,017,302. 


359 


Jeremiah was the second of the great Hebrew 
prophets. 


360 


The Island of Jersey is the largest and most im¬ 
portant island lying in the English channel. Its area 
is 45 square miles. Its hills are heavily wooded 
and the valleys very fertile. The chief crops are 
wheat and potatoes. The leading manufactures arc 
shoes, boots and stockings. Ships are built upon its 
coast. 

361 

Andrew Johnson was born at Raleigh, N. C., De¬ 
cember 19, 1808. 


64 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


362 

Jamestown, Va., was settled May 13, 1607. 

363 

A Jew will eat no pork. 

364 

Jersey City is well laid out. Its streets are wide 
and pleasant. Its buildings both public and private 
show plainly that neither money nor pains has been 
spared in their erection. The city is entered by seven 
lines of railroad. Nearly every kind of manufac¬ 
tures are carried on within the city, and it is one of 
the most rapidly growing cities in America. In 1880 
its population was 120,722. 

365 

Undoubtedly, the three most miserable days in the 
life of Jonah were those spent in the whale’s belly. 


366 

A large part of the pepper used in the United 
States is imported from Java. 

367 

The best jet is found in northern England. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


65 


368 

Jesus Christ was 30 years of age when he began 
to preach. 

369 

Jerusalem, the Holy City, is situated among the 
mountains, 2,660 feet above the level of the Mediter¬ 
ranean sea. Its stationary population is variously 
estimated from 10,000 to 20,000, being greatly in¬ 
creased by pilgrims at Easter time. The city stands 
on the site of the old city 80 feet above the original 
foundation, on Mount Zion and Mount Moriah. The 
walls are from 30 to 75 feet high. There are ten 
gates, five open and five closed. The streets of Jeru¬ 
salem are very narrow. The principal buildings are 
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the mosque 
of Omar. From the Mount of Olives the city looks 
quite grand ; but at best it is but a mere wreck of its 
old self. 

37(C 

The Jesuit church was founded by St. Ignatius 
Loyola in Lincolnshire, England, in 1540. 

371 

Joshua succeeded Moses. 


372 

The walls of Jerusalem are composed entirely of 
romrh granite. 


66 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


373 

Joan of Are was burned at the stake in Rouen on 
the morning of May 13, 1431. 

374 

Job had the small-pox, not boils. 

375 

Up to the present time there have been 36 popes 
bearing the not uncommon name of John. 

376 

King John of England had not a single manly trait 
in his character. 


377 

John the Baptist was a second cousin of the Virgin 
Mary. 

378 

St. John was 25 vears old when he became one of 

t/ 

the twelve apostles. 

379 

Judas Iscariot received $15 for betraying Jesus to 
the chief priests. 

380 

John Paul Jones, the noted Revolutionary officer, 
was born at Arbigland, Scotland, July 6, 1747. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


67 


881 

Joseph, the son of Jacob, died at the age of 110 
years. 

382 

Jugglers have performed their wonderful feats 
from the earliest time. 

883 

The old name for July was Quintilis. It was 
changed to its present name in honor of Julius 
Caesar, who was born the 12th of this month. 


John the Baptist was 33 years old when he was be¬ 
headed. 


385 


The four satellites of the planet of Jupiter were 
discovered by Galileo in 1610. 

X 380 

In England, a justice of the peace is appointed by 
the occupant of the throne. 


387 

Nearly all the jute used comes from Asia. 


388 

Kindergarten schools were introduced into America 
by Frederick Froebel in 1837. 


68 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


389 


The kaleidoscope was invented by David Brewster 
in 1814. 

390 

Dr. E. Iv. Kane, the noted polar explorer, was born 
in Philadelphia, February 13, 1820, and died in Ha¬ 
vana, Cuba, February 1G, 1857. 

391 

There are 30 kinds of kangaroo. Their flesh is 
fine eating and their skin is highly prized for the 
manufacture of shoes. 

392 


Kansas is a very productive state, the soil is deep, 
rich and well adapted to agriculture. The cereals 
yield largely. A large amount of coal, salt, lead, 
iron, lignite, and kaolin is mined in this state. Flour, 
salt, grist, and lumber mills are the chief manufac¬ 
tories. A vast number of harnesses are also pro¬ 
duced. About the only drawback to Kansas life is 
the violent winds which sweep over the plains, doing 
great damage to life and property. The area of the 
state is 81,700 square miles. Its population in 1880 
was 996,096. 

393 

The Kennebec river is 150 miles long. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


69 


394 


Edward, Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria, 
was born November 2, 1767, and died January 23, 


1820. 


395 

Kerosene first appeared in market in 1858. 

390 

The climate of Kentucky is very fine. The min¬ 
erals are coal, lead, iron, and sulphur. Its forests of 
oak, walnut, cherry, and maple are large and valu¬ 
able. The soil is rich and productive ; grain, tobacco 
and hemp are its chief crops. No state in the Union 
raises so fine stock as Kentucky. The area of the 
state is 40,400 square miles, and in 1880 its population 
was 1,648,690. 

397 

Germans kiss the hand and not the face. 

398 

In 1865, there were but 40 miles of railroad in 
Kansas. In 1885, there were 42,227 miles. 

399 

The Kentucky river is 260 miles long. 

400 

Washington street, Boston, was for years known 


70 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


as King street. It was given its present name in 
honor of George Washington. 

co O 

401 

The old knights held their office for life. 

402 

The best black marble in the world comes from 
Killarney county, Ireland. 

403 

It has been proved beyond a doubt that Charles 
Knight wrote the most complete history of England. 

404 

The village of Ken, in the kingdom of Sweden, 
is noted far and near for the extreme beauty of its 
scenery. 

405 

There is no place on earth so noted for its beauty 
as the region about the lakes of Killarney. 

400 

King-fishers live almost entirely upon fish. 

407 

King-fish are rarely seen in New England but are 
very common in the Middle States. 


OK CHOICE INFORMATION. 


71 


408 

Kites began to fly 150 B. c. 

400 

Kansas City lies upon the right bank of the Mis¬ 
souri river. The streets are wide and pleasant. The 
buildings are well built, chiefly of brick. The city 
has an area of 13 1-2 miles. The manufactures of 
Kansas city are chiefly saddlery, harnesses and fur¬ 
niture. Ten or twelve lines of railroad enter the city. 
In 1880, the population was 55,785 ; in 1886,105,042. 

410 

Kip leather is made from the hide of young bulls. 

411 

There is an average number of 57,000 copies of 
“King Lear 11 sold yearly. - 

412 

Kitterv, Me., has the honor of having the oldest 

7 7 o 

Baptist church in the state. It was founded Septem¬ 
ber 25, 1652. 

413 

Kalamazoo is one of the prettiest places in Michi 
gan. It lies on the west bank of the Kalamazoo 
river. The streets are wide and well shaded with 


i 


72 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


oak, maple and elm trees. The town has more fine 
houses and buildings than any other city of its size 
in the state. Kalamazoo is largely engaged in lum¬ 
ber trade. In 1880 its population was 13,938. 


4 14 

There is a kind of grasshopper called Katydid, so 
named because it seems to repeat the words. 

415 

The Kittatinny or Blue mountains, extend from 
New York to Alabama; the entire length is a little 
over 800 miles. 


416 

The Hebrew Bible at first had only one Book of 
Kings. 

417 

Kingstown is one of the most noted watering-places 
in Ireland; it is situated seven miles southeast of 
Dublin. 

418 


The Danes were fine horseman but very poor 
pedestrians, especially the knights. 


410 

The Klamath river in California is 250 miles long. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


73 


420 

Samuel Kneeland, the world-renowned naturalist, 
was born in Boston, August 11, 1821. 

421 

The Rev. Samuel Key, whose name will always be 
treated with greatest respect among the American 
theologians, was born at Keene, N. IT, Oct. 10, 1811. 

422 

The “Cotter’s Saturday Night” is by not a few 
called one of the finest books ever published. 

423 

Knoxville, Tenn., is .built on an elevated site com¬ 
manding a fine view of the surrounding country. 
The city has a large wholesale trade in dry goods, 
hardware, boots, shoes, drugs, and crackers. The 
chief manufactures are nails, bar-iron, car-wheels, 
and wagons, hour lines or railroad enter the place. 
In 1880 the population was 9,693. 

424 

The Koala bear is much hunted for its fur which is 
a rich brown color. 

425 

The city of Ivonigsberg, in Prussia, lias one of the 
finest cathedrals in the world. 


74 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


420 

Lace was first made in Italy in 1405. 

427 

Lake Ladoga in Russia is the largest lake in the 
empire. Its length is 124 miles long. 


428 

Gen. La Fayette was horn in Paris, September 6, 
1757, and died there, May 20, 1834. 


420 

The lamp, in some form or other, has been used 
from the earliest time. The fact has been proved by 
the record of an improvement made by Rande in 
3700 b. c. 

430 

On the 1st day of January, 1887, the government 
of the United States owned G50,000,000 acres of land. 

481 

Those who like long winter evenings should live 
in Lapland, where they are three months in length. 

432 

There are about 21,500,000,000 pounds of lard used 
yearly in the United States. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


75 


433 


La Crosse, Wisconsin, is one of the prettiest and 
liveliest cities in the state. In 1880 it had a popula¬ 
tion of 14,505. 

434 

The city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, is 22 miles 
north of Boston, and lies on both sides of the Merri- 
mac river. It is one of the most finely laid out cities 
in the state. Its public buildings are numerous and 
costly; its streets are pleasant and well kept. It is 
the largest manufacturing city in the state. It man¬ 
ufactures almost everything, although chiefly cotton. 
Four lines of railroad give the city the best of com¬ 
munication with the principal places east and west. 
The population of Lawrence in 1880 was 39,151. 

435 

* 

Up to the year 1520, lawyers got nothing for their 
services. 


430 

The most valuable lead deposits in the United 
States are in the Mississippi valley. 

437 

Leases upon real estate are generally made for 
seven years. 


76 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


438 

There are about $175,000,000 worth of leather 
used in the United States yearly. 


430 

General Lee surrendered April 9, 1865. 


440 

There are 580,000 volumes in the Congressional 
library at Washington, I). C. 


441 

Thomas Jefferson’s library numbered 7000 volumes. 


442 


There are 150,000,000 acres of woodland in the 
world. 


443 


There are about 20,000,000 acres of government 
land in the United States taken up yearly. 


444 

Government land is worth from $1.25 to $2.50 per 
acre, according to location. 

445 

Lawrence, Kansas, is a very pretty city. Its streets 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


77 

are wide and shady. There are no finer public 
buildings in any part of the West. Nearly every 
kind of manufacturing is carried on. Five lines of 
railroad pass through the place. Its population in 
1880 was 8510, now estimated at 16,000. 

' 446 

The lemon grows wild in northern India. 


447 


Benjamin Franklin invented the lightningconduetor 
in 1752. 


448 


The length of Lent is 40 days. 

440 

Leprosy is more common in Norway than any 
other part of the globe. 

450 

The battle of Lexington was fought April 19, 1775. 

451 

Lewiston, Maine, can be reached by two lines of 
railroad. It is one of the finest cities to be found in 
the state. Its population in 1880 was 19,083. 


78 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


452 


The largest library in the world is to be found at 
Paris. 


453 


The first patent for tanning leather by the present 
mode was granted to Lawrence Lincoln, a ..London 
coach maker, in 1785. 

454 

The first life insurance company was formed in 
Holland in 1617. 

455 

Light travels about 200,000 miles per second. 


456 

The oldest light-house in the world was built at 
Alexandria in 280 b. c. 

457 

Liverpool is the largest seaport town in England. 
It is on the right bank of the Mersey, four miles 
from its mouth. The town in the stirring bustle 
seems more like a city of America than England. 
The finest buildings are the Town-hall, St. George’s 
Hall, Custom-house, Revenue buildings and Ex¬ 
change buildings. Liverpool is a leading port for 
receipt of grain, and the greatest cotton market of the 
world. Manufacturing of nea'rly all kinds is carried 
on in the city, although the chief business is ship- 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


79 


building. Nearly one half of the produce of England 
is shipped from Liverpool. The population of the 
city in 1880 was 552,425. 


458 

Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809, and 
was shot in Washington, T). C., April 14, 1865, dying 
the next morning, April 15th. 

459 


Dr. David Livingstone was born in Blantvre, Scot- 
land, March 19, 1818. And died in Muilala, Central 
Africa, May 4, 1873. 

460 


Locks have been used for a little more than 4000 
years. 


481 


The locomotive was invented by Watt in 1759. 


462 

Long Island is 115 miles long and its greatest 
breadth is about 20 miles ; its area is 1682 square 
miles. 

» 

463 

The first money lottery on record was started in 
Florence, Italy, in 1530. 


80 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


404 


About 10,000 guests can be accommodated at Long 
Branch. 


405 


Louisville, Kentucky, is a very fine city. There is 
hardly a place in the United States having such nice 
houses. The public buildings which are many and 
costly show both taste and refinement in their build. 
The leading manufacture of the city is leather. In 
1880 the population was 123,758. 


400 

The best lead conies from the mines of Liberia. 

407 

Lancaster, Mass., has one of the best female re¬ 
formatories in the United States. 

408 

The loom is one of the oldest inventions. It was 
used by the Egyptians as early as 3000 b. c. 

409 

London is the largest city in Great Britain. Its 
area is 122 square miles. Its population in 1885 was 
4,764,928. The manufactures of London are so nu¬ 
merous that they cannot be mentioned here, though 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


81 


the leading are silk and woolen. It would take a far 
abler pen than mine to describe the beauties of Lon¬ 
don, so I will simply say that in every way it is the 
Queen city of the world. 


470 

St. Luke died at the age of 84 years. 

471 

The lute, an ancient stringed instrument played 
like the guitar, was invented by the Arabs about 300 
years b. c. 

472 

Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483, and 
died February 18, 1546. lie received the name of 
Martin because he was born on St. Martin’s eve. 

473 

A considerable portion of the state of Louisiana is 
so low that levees have to be built to prevent its being 
overflowed. The state has a variety of soil, but for 
the most part, it is very fertile; there is also a vast 
amount of valuable timber land in the state. The 
chief agricultural crops are cotton, sugar, rice and 
corn. Louisiana produces more sugar than any other 
state in the Union—indeed its leading manufactures are 

susfar and molasses. The area of the state is 45,420 

© 

square miles. In 1880 its population was 939,946. 

6 


82 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


474 

For the last ten years, London lias had a birth every 
five minutes and a death every eight. 

4 m m 

4 0 

The Germans and Scandinavians are the strongest 
representatives of the Lutheran church. 

476 

Lowell, Mass., is a large and flourishing city. The 
nicest public buildings are the court house and city 
hall. There are many costly residences in the place. 
Seven lines of railroad pass through the city. Manu¬ 
facturing is so largely carried on that the city stands 
second, in that point, in the United States. The pop¬ 
ulation in 1880 was 59,475. 

t 

477 

The so-called “ lynch law,” which is practiced only 
in America, is said to have received its name from a 
Virginian farmer. 

478 

The light-house at Bay Ridge, Long Island, is 115 
feet high. 

479 

Capt. Chas. II. Landers was one of the most noted 
naval officers of his time. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


83 


480 

The first perfectly working mowing machine was 
made in 1830. 

481 

There are no better horses for all purposes than 
the Morgan. 

482 

The wonderful feat of combining magnetism with 
electricity was accomplished by Faraday in 1831. 

483 

Maine is the largest New England state. Its area 
is 29,895 square miles. Its surface is hilly. About 
$12,000,000 worth of lumber is cut from its forests 
yearly. Ship building is largely carried on upon the 
coast. The chief crops are grain and potatoes. Its 
leading manufactures are cotton, woolen, boots and 

shoes. The population of Maine in 1880 was 618,936. 

* 

484 

There are 11 kinds of magpies. 

485 

The finest marble on the globe is quarried in 
southern Italy. 

486 

The best mahogany comes from Spain. 


84 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


487 

The yearly cost of transporting the mail in the 
United States is about $13,000,000. 

488 

The United States mails are carried over about 
366,667 miles of railroad track. 


489 


The title of “ Majesty ” was first used by the German 
emperors. 


490 


Mammoth cave, Kentucky, is the largest known. 
It extends about 18 miles. To explore it properly 
one must travel 188 miles. 


491 

Manchester, N. H., is the largest city in the state, 
and one of the prettiest in New England. The streets 
are wide, clean and pleasant. Its public buildings 
are fine and built in a substantial manner. The place 
has four lines of railroad passing through it, and it is 
largely engaged in manufacture, which is greatly in¬ 
creased, no doubt, because of the excellent facilities 
for transportation. The chief articles manufactured 
are cotton, woolen and print goods. The population 
of the pity in 1880 was 32,630. 


UK CHOICE INFORMATION. 


85 


492 

The best wheat grown in the United States is in 
Michigan. 

498 

The first mission school in the United States was 
founded in Vernon, Vt. 

494 

Moses was the greatest prophet of his time. 

495 

James Madison was born in King George county, 
Virginia, March 16, 1751, and died in that state, June, 
28, 1836. 

496 

Matches were first used in 1G80; they were sold 
in small boxes containing about three dozen, for 15 
shillings a box. 

497 

The soil of Massachusetts is not so productive as 
that of many of her sister states, yet large amounts 
of grain, vegetables and tobacco are raised. Its 
manufactures are so numerous that one can scarcely 
mention an article that they do not include. The 
chief, however, are boots and shoes, cotton and woolen 
goods, and hardware. The area of the state is 8,040 
square miles. In 1880 its population was 1,783,086. 


86 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


498 

Single microscopes were in use by the ancients. 
The compound microscope was invented by Zansz, 
about 1590. 

499 

Mary, Queen of Scots, was born in the palace of 
Linlithgow, Scotland, December 8, 1542, and was be¬ 
headed February 8, 1587. 

500 

The first mass was written in Greek. 

501 

There are over 300,000 models in the patent office 
at Washington. 

502 

That portion of Maryland which borders on Chesa¬ 
peake bay is low, but it gradually rises as one leaves 
the coast. The Allegheny mountains form its wes¬ 
tern boundary. Coal, iron and copper are largely 
mined in different portions of the state. A large 
amount of valuable stone is quarried in Maryland. 
The state is highly adapted to agriculture; large 
crops of wheat, tobacco and fruit are raised. The 
leading exports are flour, wheat, pork, and tobacco. 
The area of Maryland is only 9860 square miles. In 
1880 its population was 931,943. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


87 


503 

The first foreign mission society in the United 
States was founded in Cornwall, Conn., in 1814. 


504 

The oldest machine on record is a rude derrick. 


505 

There were but few braver chiefs than Manhattan. 


506 


Electricity for medical purposes was little used 
until 1750. 


507 


The world-renowned evangelist, D. L. Moody, was 
born at Northfield, Mass., February 5, 1837. 


508 

Mexico is largely made up of elevated plains. The 
annual rain fall is so slight that many of the streams of 
Mexico go dry in summer. The surface of the coun¬ 
try is highly diversified, so that some portions of it 
are adapted to nearly every branch of agriculture. 

The chief crops however are tobacco, coffee and 
sugar. The gold and silver mines of Mexico are 
among the richest in the world. Coal, iron, quick 
silver, copper, tin, lead and zinc are also mined in 


88 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


considerable quantities. Mexico is a republic and 
has a very fine system of government. Its area is 
761,765 square miles, and its population is over 
10 , 000 , 000 . 

509 

There are indications of a well-regulated system 
of medicine as early as 1700 b. c. 


510 


The Mediterranean sea is noted for its fine beds of 
red coral. 


511 


James Monroe was born in Westmoreland county, 
Virginia, April 28, 1758, and died July 4, 1831. 


512 

The state of Michigan is divided into two parts, 
known as Upper and Lower Michigan. The former 
is made up of a vast lumber and mining section ; an 
immense amount of lumber is cut annually from the 
vast pine forests of this section. The chief minerals 
of the state are iron, copper and lead. A little silver 
is also found in the southeastern part. The climate 
of Upper Michigan is so cold that only the hardier 
grains are grown. Lower Michigan is for the most 
part a vast rolling prairie, some of which is heavily 
timbered. The soil is quite fertile. The leading 
crops of this section are wheat, corn and barley. The 
leading manufactures throughout the state are lumber, 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


89 


flour, and boots and shoes. The area of the state is 
57,430 square miles. Its population in 1880 was 
1,636,937. 


513 

There are 50 kinds of metals. 

514 

In 1858 Paul Morphy proved himself the champion 
chess player of the world. 

515 

Joseph Smith founded the Mormon church in 1830. 

516 

There are but few states that yield better, or better 
repay careful tillage than Mississippi. The forests of 
this state are chiefly pine,, oak and hickory. All 
kinds of grains, vegetables and fruits are raised in 
abundance, and with considerable profit. The public 
institutions of the state are of the highest order. The 
area of Mississippi is 46,340 square miles, and its 
population in 1880 was 1,131,597. 

517 

On May 12, 1739, the corner-stone of the first M. E. 
church in the world was laid by John Wesley at Bris¬ 
tol, England. 


90 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


518 

Lake Michigan is nearly 350 miles long. 

519 

Montreal is the largest British city in North Amer¬ 
ica. It is built on an island of the same name in the 
St. Lawrence- river. It is the leading commercial 
city of Canada. The finest buildings in the place are 
the Roman Catholic cathedral of St. Peter’s and St. 
Anne’s Market. Montreal is the leading lumber 
market of the province. Its population in 1885 was 
140,747. 

520 

The United States military school established at 
West Point, New York, in 1802, is the best institution 
of its kind in the world. 

521 

William Miller, the founder of the Millerite creed, 
was born at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1781. 

522 

The Millerites set the year 1843 for the second 
coming of Christ. 

523 

Montana territory has an area of 145,776 square 
miles; vast prairies comprise fully half of its sur- 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


91 


face. The remainder of Montana is very hilly. 
Taken as a whole the territory is very rich in miner¬ 
als ; gold is so plenty that the territory stands next 
to California in its production. Silver, copper and 
coal are also largely mined. The country is so finely 
adapted to stock raising that as yet little attention has 
been paid to agriculture. The territory was first 
settled in 1861. In 1885 its population was 54,259. 

524 

•k 

The Mississippi river is 3200 miles long. 

525 

Mining has been carried on from the earliest time. 
© 

520 

A good miner will mine six tons of coal a day. 

v 527 

Missouri has an area of 68,735 square miles. The 
best timber lands in the state are in the southern and 
southwestern parts. The finest farming lands are in 
the northwestern. The chief crops are corn, wheat and 
tobacco. The state abounds in fine apple, pear and 
peach orchards. Great quantities of grapes are also 
raised. The chief manufactures of the state are agri- 
cultural tools, boots and shoes, and cooperage. The 
population of Missouri in 1880 was 2,168,380. 


92 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


528 

The Missouri river is 3096 miles long to its conflu¬ 
ence with the Mississippi. 

529 

The diameter of the moon is 2285-miles. 


530 


Minnesota is the most northerly state of the Union. 
Its area is 83,365 square miles. Its surface is an 
elevated table land. The scenery of Minnesota is 
very fine. The state has its full share of minerals; 
the chief are copper and iron. The soil is rich, and 
yields largely of oats, corn, barley and potatoes. Its 
forests are fine and abundant, being chiefly of pine. 
Flour is the leading article of manufacture. The 
population in 1880 was 780,773. 


531 


The United States mint at Philadelphia was estab¬ 
lished in 1792. 


532 

Young monkeys are fine eating when properly 
cooked. 


533 

Napoleon would fearlessly ride from point to point 
upon a battle field, amid a perfect storm of shot and 
shell, but would shake in every limb at sight of a cat. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


93 


534 

The first patent for a nail cutter ever granted in the 
United States was given to Joseph Pearson of New 
York on March 23, 1794. 


535 

The river Nile is about 3000 miles long. 

536 

New Hampshire has an area of 9005 square miles. 
Large amounts of lumber are cut from its forests 
annually. The soil of the state is not up to the aver¬ 
age in fertility, but nevertheless good crops of grain 
are raised. New Hampshire has a full share of 
minerals; granite, soapstone, gold, silver and lead 
are mined in greater or less quantities. New Hamp¬ 
shire is largely engaged in manufacture; the chief 
articles produced are cotton and woolen goods, boots 
and shoes. The population of the state in 1880 was 
346,991. 

537 

Noah was 60 years old when he went into the ark. 

538 

The night hawk lays five eggs. 


539 

New Bedford, Mass., lies 50 miles southeast 


94 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


Boston. The city is splendidly laid out. The finest 
buildings in the place are the public library and city 
hall. New Bedford is the seat of the American whale 
fisheries which were founded here in 1755. The city 
is an important port of entry, and has an extensive 
foreign trade. There is more coal received in New 
Bedford than at any other city in the state. In 1880 
the population of the city was 26,815. 

540 

Nelson river is 350 miles long. 

541 • 

The first steel needles were seen in England during 1 

O O 

the year 1565. 

542 

There are 1,850,000,000 nails in the Royal Exposi¬ 
tion Building in Paris. 

543 

New York ranks first in two very important things, 
commerce and manufacture. The latter embraces 
almost everything that can be devised. Cotton and 
woolen goods, machinery, iron and leather are some 
of the articles produced. The state has a vast amount 
of forest. The soil is very rich and fertile. Fine 
crops of wheat, rye, oats, corn and potatoes are raised. 
The climate is quite changeable. On the 1st of Jan¬ 
uary, 1885, there were 7320 miles of railroad in the 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


95 


state. New York lias a fine system of education. 
The area of the state is 49,170 square miles. In 1880 
its population was 5,082,871. 

544 

Neptune is the most distant planet known. 

545 

The grand old city of Naples, Italy, lies 118 miles 
southeast of Rome. The streets are generally nar¬ 
row and straight. The principal ones are paved and 
lighted in a fine manner. The houses are from two 
to seven stories high. There are many fine old edi¬ 
fices in the city. It is an important port of entry. 
Manufacturing is largely carried on ; the chief articles 
produced being silk, linens, woolens and hosiery, 
straw hats, and maccaroni. The population of Naples 
in 1885 was 403,172 

546 

There is the name of no greater hero than that of 
Horatio Nelson. lie was born at Norfolk, England, 
September 29, 1758, and was killed in the battle of 
Trafalgar, October 21, 1805. 

547 

A mortgage note is good for 20 years if no interest 
is paid upon it. 

548 

There are 14 bones in a human nose. 


96 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


549 

Newfoundland is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, 
lying north of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Its area is 
40,200 square miles. Fine crops of potatoes, hay, 
barley and oats are raised. The island is very rich 
in minerals ; the chief are silver, copper and sulphur. 
Newfoundland has the credit of producing the finest 
marble of any British dominion in America. The 
fisheries of Newfoundland are very extensive, and 
form one of its chief sources of income. The popu¬ 
lation of the dominion in 1884 was over 100,000. 

550 

New York was first called New Amsterdam. 

ool 

The first Negro slaves were brought from Cape 
Negro in Guinea in 1620. 


Nashville, Tennessee, lies on the south bank of the 
Cumberland river, 242 miles south-southwest of Cin¬ 
cinnati. The city is built upon a bluff; the streets 
although narrow are well laid out. There are many 
fine buildings scattered here and there over the city. 
The place has an extensive foreign trade. Nashville 
is entered by four lines of railroad, which give it 
communication with all the principal cities of the 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


97 


United States. It is largely engaged in manufactures; 
there are numerous cotton and cotton seed mills, and 
the citv has several large tanneries and flour mills. 
The population of the place in 1880 was 43,350. 

The great English philosopher, Sir Isaac Newton, 
was born at Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, 
December 25,1612, and died at Kensington, March 20, 
1727. 


The first natural history was written by Linnaeus 
in 1735. 


v w 

5o5 

The surface of Nevada is a high table-land. Wheat 
is the chief agricultural crop. The country is made 
up considerably of short mountain chains, at the base 
of which fine mineral deposits are found. The lead¬ 
ing minerals are gold, silver, copper and salt. Very 
little attention is paid to agriculture throughout the 
state, and it can boast of but few manufactures. The 
area of Nevada is 109,740 square miles, and its pop¬ 
ulation in 1880 was only 62,266. 

556 

Natural philosophy embraces mechanical science 
and physics. 

7 


98 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


557 

But little attention was paid to navigation up to 
1305. 

558 

Newark is the largest city in the state of New Jer¬ 
sey 5 it lies on the west bank of the Passaic river 
nine miles from New York. Its streets, which are 
wide and pleasant, are lined with tine residences. Its 
public buildings are fine and substantially built struc¬ 
tures. Eight lines of railroad pass through the city. 
Newark is noted for its numerous manufactures ; the 
chief are jewelry, harnesses and saddlery. The pop¬ 
ulation of the place in 1880 was 130,508. 

550 

In 1880 the United States Navy was valued at 
$1,852,000,000. 

560 

The first Normal school was started in Stettin in 
1735. 

561 

Norway abounds in picturesque mountain passes 
and cascades. Much of the surface is covered with 
ice and snow during the entire year, but in the south¬ 
ern part fair crops of wheat, corn and potatoes are 
raised. The hardier fruits and vegetables are also 
produced to a moderate extent. The greatest wealth 
of Norway is derived from its fisheries. Consider- 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


99 


able silver, iron and copper are mined. Vast num¬ 
bers of ships are built upon the Norwegian coast. 
The area of the country is 123,290 square miles, and 
in 1884 its population was 1,806,900. 

562 

Norwich, Connecticut, is a lively manufacturing 
city. Its population in 1880 was 15,112. The lead¬ 
ing articles manufactured are machinery, rolled iron 
and printing presses. The place has an extensive 
trade in coal and lumber. A dailv line of steamers 
run to New York. Norwich is quite an important 
railroad centre, having no less than three important 
lines. 

563 

New Year’s Day was first kept by the Romans. 


564 

Newspapers originated with the Romans during 
the 6th century a. d. 

V 

565 

Nazareth lies 65 miles north of Jerusalem. 

566 

Nova Scotia has an area of 20,907 square miles, 
and a population in 1884 of 440,572. The soil is very 
rich; wheat, buckwheat, barley and corn are the 
chief crops. The streams of Nova Scotia are well 


100 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


stocked with fish. The first settlement in the pro¬ 
vince was made in 1604. 


567 

The Niger river is 3000 miles long. 


568 

The Niagara Falls are the most noted in the world. 


' 560 

The city of New York is the great metropolis of 
America. Its area is 45 square miles. It is built 
mostly upon Manhattan island. The city has very 
beautiful business blocks whose grandeur defies 
description. They are chiefly built of stone, and 
are from five to emlit stories in height above the 
street. The finest residences are upon oth avenue; 
many of them are of brown stone. Every branch of 
industry under heaven is carried on in the city. New 
York is the leading port of America. From its birth 
the growth of the city has been very rapid. 

570 

Nickel was first discovered by Cronstedt about 1754. 

571 

There are about 10,000 men in the United States 
Navy. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


101 


572 

New Mexico is a large territory occupying the 
•southwestern part of the United States. Its area is 
122,460 square miles. It is crossed and recrossed by 
mountain chains. The territory is noted for two 
things, the beauty of its scenery and its rich mineral 
deposits. A vast deal of coal, lead, copper and a 
little tin are mined. New Mexico has a line rich soil, 
and is finely adapted to the growth of grain. 


573 


Napoleon Bonaparte was born at Ajaccio, on the 
island of Corsica, August 15, 1768, and died May 5, 
1821. 

574 


New Haven, Connecticut, is the largest city in the 
state. It stands upon a plain about two miles in 
width and one and one half miles long. The streets 
are wide and are beautifully shaded with grand old 
elms. The public buildings of the city are very fine. 
Five lines of railroad enter the place. New Haven 
is a great manufacturing city; clocks, carriages and 
iron are the chief articles of manufacture. The pop¬ 
ulation of the place in 1880 was 62,882. 


575 

North Brookfield, Worcester conn t} r , Massachusetts, 


102 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


has the honor of having the largest boot and shoe 
shop in the world. 

576 


North America has an area of 8,373,648 square 
miles. 


577 


The western part of the state of Nebraska is par¬ 
ticularly adapted to grazing, and the eastern to agri¬ 
culture: It is very rich in soil which is from two to 
ten feet deep. Wheat, corn, barley and oats are the 
chief crops. In 1865 there were but 122 miles of 
railroad in the state ; in 1885 it had 2728. Nebraska 
has but little manufacturing. In 1880 its population 
was 452,402. 

578 

Newport, Vermont, lies on Lake Mempliremagog. 
It is the leading summer resort of the Green Moun¬ 
tain State. 

579 


Napoleon Bonaparte was asked by his brother 
officers which was his happiest day. He answered 
by saying “ the day of my first communion.” 


580 

New London, Connecticut, is upon the west bank 
of the Thames river. It is one of the liveliest towns 
in the state. The streets are mostly wide and well 
shaded. The public buildings are well and tastefully 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


103 


built, the finest being the city hall. The place is 
entered by four lines of railroad. The chief manu¬ 
factories are foundries and machine shops. Its pop¬ 
ulation in 1880 was 10,537. 

581 

The best nutmegs are grown in Asia. 

582 

The celebrated naturalist, Francis Nigting was 
born in Florence, Italy, May 5, 1820. 

583 

The surface of New Jersey is for the most part 
level and sandy. The scenery is very fine, and the 
climate mild and healthful. The chief crops of the 
state are fruit and vegetables. A vast -quantity of 
iron is mined in the state. New Jersey takes a high 
rank among its sister states in manufactures. The 
leading articles produced are iron, flour and meal, 
hats and carriages. The area of the state is 7455 
square miles. 

584 

Nantasket beach is fast becoming a favorite sum¬ 
mer resort. The distance from Boston by water is 9 
miles, and by rail 22 miles. 

585 

Nantucket island is 16 miles long, and its width 
varies from 2 to 3 miles. 


104 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


580 

Night-hawks are tine eating. 

587 

New Orleans lies on the Mississippi river about 120 
miles from its mouth. The streets are pleasant and 
well kept, and its buildings both public and private 
are fine substantial structures. Three lines of rail¬ 
road pass through the place, which, in spite of the 
numerous steamboat lines, have a heavy traffic. 
Cotton, sugar and molasses are the leading exports. 


588 

Brazil is a good place to sro nutting, for a man can 
pick from 40 to 50 bushels in a day. 


589 


There are seven Negro churches in New Haven, 
Connecticut. 


590 


The area of New Brunswick is 27,174 square miles. 
The surface of the province is for the most part hilly. 
The soil is deep and rich east of the St. John river, 
but west of it, it is much poorer. Wheat, corn, bar¬ 
ley and oats are the chief crops. New Brunswick 
has valuable deposits of iron and copper. The lead¬ 
ing industry of the province is lumbering. Its chief 
manufactures are lumber, leather and woolen goods. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


105 


The population of New Brunswick in 1880 was 
321,233. 

591 

Naturalization was first known in England in the 
latter part of the reign of Queen Anne. 


592 

There is no better nervine than that made by com¬ 
pounding equal parts of the liquid extract of hops 
and skull-cap. 

593 

Newpoi't, Rhode Island, is the prettiest city in the 
state. It lies on Narragansett bay, 22 miles south- 
southeast of Providence. Its streets are wide, pleasant 
and shady. The principal ones are lined on either 
side by beautiful summer residences, surrounded by 
spacious and finely kept grounds. The principal 
objects of interest are the Old Mill, and Fort Adams, 
one of the finest fortifications in the United States, 
and “ Purgatory ” and hanging rocks. Newport can be 
reached by both rail and w r ater. Cotton manufacture 
is the chief industry of the place ; there is also a lead 
mill, and a brush factory. The population of New¬ 
port in 1880 was 15,693, now estimated to be 20,439. 

594 

New London, Connecticut, has the largest wharf in 
New England; it is 1125 feet long and 220 feet wide. 


106 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


595 

The first permanent newspaper in the United States 
made its first appearance on the morning of April 24, 
1704, and was called*the “ Boston News Letter.” 


596 

There are not less than 140 species of oak known. 


597 


The area of Oakland county, Michigan, is 900 
square miles. 

598 

a 

The Liberian ostrich has the finest plumage of any 
on earth. 


599 


Oats are better adapted to a cold climate than any 
other grain. 

600 


The first Odd Fellows 1 lodge on record was started 
in London in 1798. 

601 

* 

The Oronoco river in South America is 1600 miles 
long. 

602 

Lake Ontario is the smallest of the five Great 
Lakes. Its length is about 190 miles. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


107 


603 


Oakland City is by some called the prettiest place 
in California. It lies on the east shore of San Fran¬ 
cisco bay. The older part of the city is built in a 
grove of oaks, from which it derives its name. The 
streets are broad and shady. The public buildings 
are fine and well adapted for their various uses. 
The place has a fine harbor. Railroad communica¬ 
tion is furnished by the Central Pacific. In 1880 the 
population of the city was 34,555. 


604 


The custom of wearing ornaments is nearly as old 
as the world itself. 


605 


The custom of taking the oath originated with the 
Greeks. 


606 


The oceans comprise a little less than three fifths 
of the surface of the globe. 


607 

The province of Ontario has an area of 101,733 
square miles, and a population in 1880 of l,92o,228. 
The surface of the province is for the most part 
rough and hilly. The soil is rich. The leading 
crops are oats, barley, potatoes and corn. A vast 


108 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


amount of valuable timber is still standing within 
the province. Ontario has its full share of minerals; 
the chief are iron, copper and lead. 

008 

Obadiah was a Hebrew prophet. 

000 

Oberlin College was founded in 1833. 


010 

The Ocmulgee river is more than 200 miles long. 

“ O 


Oil 

October was the eighth month in the old Roman 
year, but was made the tenth in the calendars of 
Numa, Caesar, etc. 

01*2 

The cultivation of the opium poppy was begun in 
Asia Minor. 

01.3 

The summit of the Mount of Olives is 2043 feet 
above the level of the sea, and 384 feet above the 
valley. 

014 

Oceanica embraces nearly all the islands lying 
between the Indian Ocean and the China Sea, on the 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


109 


west, and the Pacific on the east. Oceanica has an 
area of 422,600 square miles, and a population in 
1880 of 30,952,651. 

615 

Odoacer was one of the most noted Italian kings. 
He was put to death in a. d. 493 by one of his pages. 

616 

The onion is a native of western Asia. 


617 


The oriole is one of the finest songsters of the Old 
World. 

618 


Ogdensburg, New York, is situated on the St. 
Lawrence river, and is one of the prettiest and liveli¬ 
est cities of St. Lawrence county. It is one of the 
most finely made up and best built cities in the state. 
Its public buildings are fine structures; the town 
hall and post office are perhaps the finest. Every 
street is lined with maples. Ogdensburg is quite an 
important port of entry. A large amount of grain, 
flour, rough and planed lumber are shipped from the 
place. Ogdensburg is entered by two lines of rail¬ 
road which end there. The population of the city in 
1880 was 10,340. 

619 

Odessa is one of the most important commercial 
cities of Russia. 


110 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


620 

The Oglio river in northern Italy is 130 miles long. 

621 

Lake Oneida is 23 miles long and from 4 to 7 wide. 

622 

The Omahas were a very warlike tribe, even for 
Indians. 

623 

The oxnlis is a native of South America, Asia and 
also tropical Africa. 

624 

The state of Ohio is an immense table-land. Its 
area being 40,760 square miles. The state ranks high 
in the production of coal, iron and salt. The mines 
are in the eastern part of the state. The soil of Ohio 
is very fertile. The leading crops are corn, oats, 
wheat, etc. The state ranks fourth in the Union in 
the number and variety of its manufactures ; the chief 
however are furniture, carriages and wagons. The 
educational institutions are among the best in the 
world. The population of the state in 1880 was 
3,198,062. 

625 

The Greeks were the first to begin the study of 
optics. 

626 . 

Organs began to be made in 275 b. c. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


Ill 


627 

The weight of a bushel of oats is 46 pounds. 

628 


Southern Asia and the islands of Borneo and Suma¬ 
tra are the home of the orang-outang:. 

O O 


629 

The orange was first cultivated in Arabia. 


630 

The Ohio river is 950 miles long. 


631 

Omaha is by far the most important city of Ne¬ 
braska. It is situated on the west bank of the Mis¬ 
souri river. The streets are broad and pleasant. 
The nicest buildings are the United States court 
house, post office, high school building and the Grand 
Central Hotel. The city has a large wholesale trade 
which is firmly established. Its chief industries are 
the manufacture of steam engines and oil refining. 
Omaha has more fine residences than any city of its 
size in the West. Railroad communication is fur¬ 
nished by the Union Pacific line. The population of 
the city in 1886 was 61,835. 

632 

There are 150 kinds of owls. 


112 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


633 

The oven bird lays six eggs. 


034 

The island of Oeland in the Baltic Sea has an area 
of 608 square miles. It belongs to the Swedish 
government, to which its abundant forests are a 
great source of income. 


035 

The Okhotsk Sea is an arm of the Pacific Ocean, 
and is 1000 miles long and 600 miles wide. 

036 

The area of Oregon is 94,560 square miles. Its 
fertile valleys, lofty mountains, and forest-fringed 
hills, form a picture lovely to look upon, but one that 
utterly defies description. The climate of the eastern 
and western portion of the state is very different, also 
the soil, which is not so productive as that of some 
parts of the West. The chief crops are wheat, oats 
and barley. The chief minerals of Oregon are gold, 
silver, iron and copper. The leading exports of the 
state are wheat and Hour. The population of the 
state in 1880 was 174,768. 

637 

Oysters will grow from five to nine years. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


113 


688 

The island of Oleron in the bay of Biscay is 18 
miles long and from G to 7 wide. 

689 

Olaf was one of the bravest kings that ever sat 
upon the throne of Norway. 

640 

Olympia is one of the prettiest cities of Washington 
territory. It lies on the Pacific division of the North¬ 
ern Pacific Railroad. The streets are broad and well 
shaded. The buildings, both public and private, are 
fine, substantial structures. Boots and shoes are the 
leading manufactures. The population is 2500. 

641 

The Okanagan Indians have always been friendly. 

642 

There are no better oranges grown than those of 
L. F. Sampson of Orange Grove, Orange Lake, Fla. 

643 

Oswego, New York, is thought oy some to be the 
most finely located city in the state. It lies at the 
mouth of the Oswego river, 220 miles northwest of 
8 


114 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


New York, and 140 northwest of Albany. The 
streets run along at right angles, and are well kept. 
The buildings, both public and private, are an honor 
to the place. The city is quite an important port of 
entry. The four lines of railroad that pass through 
the city have an immense traffic. The manufactures 
of Oswego are flour, starch and iron. The popula¬ 
tion of the city in 1880 was 21,117. 


644 

The otter enjoys sliding down hill as well as any 
school boy. 

645 

If you are ever at Oxford, Mass., do not fail to 
visit the “ Devil’s Den.” 


646 


The Ogobai river is a large and beautiful stream 


in western Africa, 
in 1856. 


It was discovered by Du Chaillu 


647 


The Canadian capital, Ottawa, lies on the right 
bank of the Ottawa river, 126 miles northwest of 
Montreal. Railroad communication is furnished bv 
the Canadian Central. The finest buildings of the 
city are the government buildings ; they cover nearly 
four acres, and cost about $4,000,000. Ottawa has 
the honor of being the leading lumber depot on the 
Ottawa river. The chief manufactures of the city 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


115 


are lumber, flour and iron. The population of the 
place in 1880 was 27,412. 


648 

The Oswego canal is 38 miles long. 


640 


The Orkney islands have an area of 500 square 
miles. 


650 


The grand old University of Oxford was founded 
at Oxford, England, about 1180. 


651 

The olive is by far the longest-lived tree known. 
It has been proved beyond a doubt that there are in 
Palestine, bearing fruit to-day, some that were yield¬ 
ing abundantly before the Christian era. 

652 

Franklin Pierce was born at Hillsborough, New 
Hampshire, November 23, 1804. He died in his 
native state, October 8, 1869. 

653 

If you are ever at Palermo, Italy, do not fail to 
visit the ruined temples. 


116 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


654 


There are some paintings in southern Europe that 
are 4000 years old. 

655 


There is no better paint than that made from white 
lead. 


656 


The real Faisley shawls are from the town of 
Paisley, Scotland. 

i/ 

657 


The first prison in the United States was established 
at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1776. 


658 


The city of Pompeii was buried on the morning of 
August 23, a. d. 79. 

659 


Palm trees have been found as far north as lati¬ 
tude 44. 


660 


The city of Palmyra is situated on an oasis of the 
Syrian desert. It is 120 miles northeast of Damascus, 
and is a very pretty place. 


661 

The Great Plains of South America are 600,000 
square miles in extent. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


117 


GG2 

The pampas grass of South America often grows 
to the height of 15 feet. 

6GB 

The manufacture of paper was begun in Egypt. 

664 

Paper hangings were first used by the Chinese. 

665 

The first parchment is thought to have been made 
in the year 197 b. c. 

666 

According to the Constitution of the United States, 
the President has the power to pardon criminals 
guilty of offences against the government. 

667 

Paris is to France, what London is to England, and 
what New York is to America, its Queen City. It is 
the second largest in the world. In 1885 its popula¬ 
tion numbered 2,225,900. 

668 

Central Park, New York, contains 843 acres. 

669 

The British Parliament is thought to have been 


118 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


established in 1272, as there is no mention made of it 
in the statutes prior to that date. 


G70 


Parrots have been known to reach the age of 100 


years. 


G71 


The Passaic river is 00 miles long. 


G72 

A patent holds good for 17 years. 

673 

St. Patrick died at the good old age of 120 years. 

674 

The city of Pekin, China, is surrounded by a wall 
30 feet hi^h and 25 feet thick at the base, diminishing 

C? 7 * O 

to 12 feet at the top. 

i uo 

St. Paul was the first Christian missionary who ex¬ 
tended his work beyond the Jewish people. 

G76 

The richest pearls are taken from the pearl oyster. 

G77 

The Carthaginians had the first paved roads. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


119 


07S 


There are 85 standard kinds of pears raised in 
America. 


079 


Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, lies at the head of the 
Ohio river. The city is well built, and is noted for 
its fine residences. The best public buildings are the 
court house, public library and St. Paul’s Roman 
Catholic church. The place is so largely interested 
in the manufacture of iron that it is called the Iron 
City. Four lines of railroad pass through the place. 
An immense river traffic is also carried on. Pitts¬ 
burgh is the second city in the state in point of popu¬ 
lation, which in 1880 was 156,389. 


080 

There are seven kinds of peanuts. 


081 

Pistols received their name from the city of Pistoja, 
where they were first made. 


082 

The peach is a native of Persia. 

083 

Some of the sugar-pines of California grow to the 
height of 300 feet, and have a diameter of 20 feet. 


120 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


684 

The first pawn-brokers were Jews. 

685 

The first pins manufactured in the United States 
appeared in 1812, and found a ready sale at a dollar 
a paper. 

686 

Pawtucket, four miles north of Providence, Rhode 
Island, is one of the most important manufacturing 
cities in the state. It lies on both sides of the Paw¬ 
tucket river. The buildings, both public and private, 
are well and tastefully built. The chief manufac¬ 
tures are yarn, cotton cloth and thread. Two lines 
of railroad enter the place. It has also a large river 
traffic. In 1880 the city had a population of 19,080. 

687 

The first pine-apples ever seen in England were 
sent from South America as a present to Oliver 
Cromwell. 

688 

There is a much greater demand for peas in Eng¬ 
land than in America. 

680 

In France the peach tree will live fully 100 years. 

600 

Palsy is more prevalent in France than elsewhere. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


121 


091 

* * 

The first steel pens were made in 1803. 

092 

Pike’s Peak stands about 14,147 feet above the sea. 

094 

The pulse of a robust child at the age of 1 year 
will average 120 beats a minute, while that of a per¬ 
son of 90 is about 45. 

094 

The are 17 kinds of pins. 

095 

Pencils, made from different substances, have been 
used since 325 b. c. 

090 

The first pianos appeared about 1718. 

G97 

Chain pumps were invented by the Chinese. 

098 

The planing machine first appeared in 1791. 


099 

The pumpkin was first raised in France. 


122 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


700 

The first plated ware was made by the Romans. 


701 


The heaviest pension paid by the United States is 
$100 a month. 


702 


The Penobscot river is 275 miles long. 


703 

Punch and Judy shows originated in Naples, Italy, 
in 1G00. 


70 J 


The first plows were made entirely of wood. 


705 

The Egyptians were the first to use punch as a 
beverage. 

700 

The work upon the Pacific Railroad was completed 
on the morning of the 10th of May, 1869, at 8 :30 a.m. 

707 

Pepper is a staple crop of the Indies. 


708 

The pyrometer, an instrument for determining the 
great extremes of heat, was invented in 1730. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


123 


709 


The best wild plums are found upon the coast of 
Mexico. 


710 


The surface of very few states changes so quickly 
from mountain to hill, and from hill to plain, as 
Pennsylvania. Corn, tobacco and wheat are the 
chief agricultural crops. All kinds of fruit but 
apples are raised with profit. The state derives the 
greater portion of its wealth from its minerals; the 
chief are coal, iron, lead, zinc, nickel, copper and 
salt. Marble, slate and limestone are extensively 
quarried in Pennsylvania. Its chief manufactures 
are iron, cotton and woolen. The state lias more 
extensive iron manufactories than any other in the 
Middle States. The population of Pennsylvania in 
1880 was 4,282,891. 

711 


According to the earliest records, Wilars Hone- 
court first thought of perpetual motion as a motive 
power in 1457. 

712 


One of the worst plagues known visited London in 
1605. 


718 


St. Peter was a native of Galilee. 


124 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


714 

Only about one third of the ice in the Polar Sea 
breaks up in summer. 

715 

The members of the first London police, estab¬ 
lished in 1753, were paid but 36 cents per day. 

716 

The pewter from which the ancient household arti¬ 
cles were made was composed of 100 parts antimony 
and 2 of copper. 

717 

James Iv. Polk was born in Mecklenburgh county, 
North Carolina, November 2, 1795, and died at Nash¬ 
ville, Tennessee, June 15, 1849. 

718 

Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania, is 
situated near the junction of the Schuylkill and Dela¬ 
ware rivers. The site of the city was selected by 
William Penn in 1682. Its streets are broad and 
lined with grand old trees. Along the shaded streets 
are quite a number of imposing buildings to be seen. 
Everything under heaven is manufactured at Phila¬ 
delphia. In 1880 the population of the city was 
847,170. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


125 


719 

The best pomegranates are found upon the moun¬ 
tains of Egypt. 

720 

Socrates was the greatest philosopher of his time. 

721 

In the old time the pope was elected by the people 
of his dioceses. 

722 

Portsmouth is the only seaport of which New 
Hampshire can boast. 

723 

Portland is the largest city in Maine. It lies on an 
arm of the southwest shore of Casco bay, 60 miles 
south-southwest of Augusta, and 105 miles north- 
northeast of Boston. The city is fairly laid out and 
nicely built. It is noted for the beauty of its houses. 
The public buildings are tine, and well adapted to 
their various uses. The manufactures are chiefly 
boots and shoes, refined sugar and rolling mill pro¬ 
ducts. Portland has a fine harbor. A vast amount 
of shipping is done from its piers. Seven lines of 
railroad pass through the city. In 1880 the popula¬ 
tion of the place was 33,810. 

724 

The first photographs were made in 1802. 


126 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


725 

A full-grown porcupine weighs 60 pounds. 

726 

Postage stamps were first used in the United States 
in 1847. 

727 

Palestine lies on the eastern shore of the Mediter¬ 
ranean Sea. It comprises an area of only about 
12,000 square miles. Nearly the whole of its surface 
is a perfect network of mountains. Its chief cities 
are Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Hebron. The inhabi¬ 
tants for the most part live a life of comparative 
idleness, wandering from place to place with their 
flocks in search of herbage. The entire population 
of Palestine is about 700,000. 


728 

The Potomac river is about 400 miles long. 


720 

There are over 900 kinds of potatoes. 


730 


The postal system in the United States was founded 
in 1710. 


731 

Providence, Rhode Island, lies upon an arm of 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


127 


Narragansett bay. It stands second among the New 
England cities in point of population, which in 1880 
was 104,857, in 1886 estimated at 118,000. The city 
has many tine public buildings, among which are the 
post-office and the custom house. Providence is one 
of the leading railroad centres of Rhode Island. It 
is also the seat of Brown University. A daily line of 
steamers run to New York. Cotton and woolen 
goods, gold and silverware are the leading manufac¬ 
tures. 

732 

The probate court usually sits semi-monthly. 


733 

The first printing press was made in 1441. 

734 

\ % 

Portugal has an area of 36,510 square miles. It is 
a very mountainous country, and abounds in fine 
scenery. The climate is a little colder than that of 
Spain. Portugal has very valuable forests of oak, 
pine, chestnut and elm. Gold and silver are mined 
to a considerable extent. The soil of the country is 
rich and productive. Corn and wheat are the chief 
crops. In 1880 the population of Portugal was 
4,348,851. 

735 

The history of pottery is so old that it cannot bo 
written. 


128 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


736 

Princeton College was founded in 1746. 


737 


The first Quaker church was built at London in 
1650. 


738 


The quail lays from 10 to 18 eggs. 


736 

Quaggas are found in large herds upon the plains 
of southern Africa. 

740 

Quincy Market, Boston, was completed in 1827, at a 
cost of $150,000. It is 535 feet long by 50 feet wide. 

741 

Any city or town, invaded by contagious disease, 
is by law required to exclude itself from the outside 
world for 40 days, which is called being in quarantine. 

742 

Quartz is the most abundant of all minerals. 

743 

The area of Quebec is 188,688 square miles. That 
part of the province which lies south of the St. Law- 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


129 


rence river is generally hilly, and the part north of it 
is mountainous. The soil of Quebec is good and 
productive. Oats, barley, rye and corn are the chief 
crops. Flour and lumber are the chief manufactures. 

7 44 

Queenstown, Ireland, is built on a steep declivity. 
The streets run parallel to the beach ; they are tinely 
laid out and* well kept. The public buildings of 
Queenstown are fine, substantial structures. Queens¬ 
town received its present name in consequence of a 
visit from Queen Victoria in 1849. More emigrants 
ship from the city than from any other in Europe. 
In 1880 its population was 360,224. 

745 

The largest quicksilver mines in the world are at 
Almaden in Spain. 

746 

The city of Quebec lies at the junction of the St. 
Clair and St. Lawrence rivers. The city has many 
fine buildings, and they are well adapted to their 
various uses. The lumber trade and ship building 
form the principal industries of the place. The pop¬ 
ulation of the place in 1880 was 62,446. 

747 

The wild quince grows in Egypt, northern France 
and several parts of Asia. 

9 


130 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


748 


The radish is a native of Egypt. 

740 

The first rifles were made at Vienna in 1498. 


750 

The fin ger ring is the oldest ornament known. 
© © 


751 

Rice has been cultivated in India from the earliest 
time. It was first seen in China many years before 
the time of Christ. 

7X0 

i O — 

Richmond, the capital city of Virginia, is the largest 
city in the state. In 1880 its population was 63,000. 
The city lies upon the north bank of the James river, 
95 miles south-southwest of Washington. The place 
is built upon two hills, and is surrounded by beauti¬ 
ful residences. The streets are regularly laid out, 
crossing each other at right angles. The leading 
manufactures are iron, agricultural tools, prepared 
tobacco and flour. Richmond has communication 
with all the leading commercial cities of the Union. 


758 

Ragatz is one of the most noted watering places of 
Switzerland. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


131 


754 

The Rio Grande river of North America is 1800 
miles long. 

755 

The Stockton and Darlington was the first steam 
passenger railroad in the world. It began running 
September 27, 1825. 

756 

Children cannot be punished as rioters. 

757 

Racine, Wisconsin, lies on Lake Michigan, and at 
the mouth of Root river, 62 miles north of Chicago. 
The city is built on a plateau, about 40 feet above the 
lake. The streets are wide and pleasant. Main 
street, upon which are many fine residences, is the 
principal one. The manufactures of Racine are 
chieflv carriages and wagons. The place is well 
supplied with railroads, and has one of the best har¬ 
bors on the lake. The population of the city in 1880 
was 19,636. 

758 

The Egyptians were the first to pay much attention 
to the building of roads. 


759 

Robbery has been carried on from the earliest time. 


132 


ONE THOUSAND TACTS 


760 

Rainy lake is 50 miles long. 


761 

There are no better raisins than the Malaga. 


762 

Rockets were first made in 936. 

763 

Since January 1, 1886, there have been 12 miles of 
railroad completed daily in the United States. 

764 

January 1, 1889, there were 152,802 miles of com¬ 
pleted railroad in the United States. 


765 

The rattlesnake lives chiefly on rabbits and rats. 


766 

The first reaper was used a. d. 60. 


767 

There never was a braver chief than Red Jacket. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


133 


708 

At one time the old Roman empire had a population 
of 120,000,000. 

769 

The Rocky Mountains were once called the Stony. 

770 

The area of the state of Rhode Island is only 1306 
square miles. Its surface is hilly but hot mountain¬ 
ous. The soil is somewhat sandy, but finely adapted 
to the growth of grass and grain. Its forests are 
chiefly of oak, chestnut and walnut A considerable 
amount of coal and iron are mined in Rhode Island. 
Cotton, woolen and rubber goods are the chief man¬ 
ufactures. In 1880 the population was 276,531. 

771 

The Rhone river is about 830 miles long. 

772 

The manufacture of ribbon was not largely carried 
on until the year 1680. 

773 

John Rogers was burned at the stake at Smithfield, 
England, at 10 :15 o’clock, on the morning of Friday, 
February 4, 1555. 


134 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


774 

The area of the Red Sea is 185,000 square miles. 

775 

There are about 2000 kinds of reptiles. 

776 

The Red river is 1200 miles long. 

777 

Rochester, New York, lies on the Genesee river, 
229 miles west-northwest of Albany. Its area is 
17 1-2 square miles. Rochester is divided by the 
river. The site of the city is nearly level. The 
streets, which for the most part run at right angles, 
are wide and shady. The city hall and Court house 
are the finest buildings. The leading manufactures 
are flour, clothing, boots and shoes. Rochester has 
easy rail communication with all the leading cities of 
the United States ; also a large canal and river traffic. 
In 1880 the population of the city was 89,366. 

778 

During the year 1888, Massachusetts had 150 rainy 
days. 

779 

John Rogers, the world-renowned American sculp- 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


135 


tor, was born at Salem, Massachusetts, October 30, 
1829. 


780 

Rye lias been cultivated the longest of any crop in 
America. 


781 

Four feet, eight inches of rain fell in Massachusetts 
during the year 1888. 

782 


Russia lies partly in Europe and partly in Asia. 
The area of Russia is about 8,644,100 square miles. 
In 1880 its population was about 102,970,831. The 
surface of European Russia is made up of vast plains, 
hemmed in on all sides by mountains and seas. The 
climate of European Russia varies according to its 
vast extent. In some parts it is very mild and pleas¬ 
ant, and in some cold and barren The southern part 
is well adapted to the growth of all the cereals The 
northern part is more adapted to grazing. Russia is 
very largely an agricultural country. Large quanti¬ 
ties of grain, hemp and flax are raised for supplying 
the manufactories of the country, and for exportation. 
Russia is particularly rich in minerals; gold, silver, 
iron, copper and lead being the principal ones. Con¬ 
siderable manufacturing is carried on in the southern 
and southeastern parts. 

783 

The Rhine river is nearly 800 miles long. 


136 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


784 

There are to-day 693 Roman Catholic bishops. 

785 

The heaviest crops of rye are produced in New¬ 
foundland and Nova Scotia. 


786 


The first ropes were made of the interior bark of 
trees. 


787 


The city of Rome is 16 miles east of the Mediterra¬ 
nean Sea, on the Tiber river. It is built on the west¬ 
ern slope of 7 small hills. The walls of the city take 
in a circuit of 12 miles, and it is entered by 12 gates. 
Rome has finer public buildings and more places of 
interest than any other place of its size in the world. 
In 1884 its population was 273,268. 


788 

There are 30 varieties of rush. 


789 

There are 180 species of roses. 

790 

Rosin is made from pine pitch. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


137 


701 

The best rosewood is found in South America. 


702 

The ruby ranks next to the diamond in value. 


793 

The Siamese twins, Chang and Eng, were born in 
Siam in 1811. They were connected by a cord about 
one third the size of a finger, which passed directly 
through their livers. Perhaps the strangest thing 
about them was that the sickness of one did not affect 
the other. Chang died first, probably from cerebral 
clot. Eng soon followed, from pure fright. Their 
death took place January 17, 1874. 


704 

The Hebrew Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday, 
and continues until the same hour on Saturday. 

705 

Spiritual rappings were first heard in 1847. 

70G 

Sheep are very fond of beans 

707 

Sunday-schools were first established at Gloucester, 
England, A. d. 1781. 


138 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


798 

The snail lays 100 egg s. 

799 

The sable is found among the mountains of Russia. 

800 

The Sacramento river is 370 miles long. 

801 

The oldest legal office on record is that of sheriff. 

802 

Snakes are as a general thing very shy of men. 

803 

The best sponges are found in the Australian seas. 

804 

The first savings bank was founded in Hamburg, 
Germany, in 1778. 

805 

The most sun-strokes occur between the hours of 
one and three p. m. 

806 

Sacramento is the third largest city in the state 
of California. It is built upon the Sacramento river, 


. OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


139 


139 miles northeast of San Francisco. Its streets are 
wide and straight, crossing each other at right angles. 
The business blocks are built mostly of brick, the 
houses of wood. The chief manufactures of the place 
are agricultural tools and carriages. Sacramento is 
a leading railroad centre. The population of the city 
in 1880 was 21,420, now estimated at 27,000. 

807 

Saws were first made by the Egyptians. 

808 

Lake Superior is the largest body of fresh water 
upon the globe. Its area is 32,000 square miles. 

809 

The first public schools were conducted like the 
private ones of to-day. 

810 

Shetland ponies weigh from 300 to GOO pounds. 

811 

The first patent for a fire-resisting safe was granted 
to Richard Scott of London in 1801. 

812 

Snake river is nearly 900 miles long. 


140 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


818 

The first surgeons were Egyptians. 

814 

The Schuylkill river is 120 miles long. 

815 

Springfield, Mass., lies on the east bank of the 
Connecticut river, 99 miles west by south of Boston, 
and 120 miles north-northeast of New York. The 
city is finely built. Its streets are shady and well 
kept. Of its many fine public buildings, the jail, city 
hall, court house and public library are the finest. 
The best residences are on State and Maple streets. 
The United States Armory is the greatest manufactory 
in the place. For years, however, the city has been 
noted for the variety of its manufactures ; among the 
chief are railroad cars, steam engines and fire alarms. 
Springfield can be reached by four lines of railroad. 
In 1880 the population of the city was 33,340. 

816 

Before the invention of gunpowder, the shield was ^ 
in common use, but it is now used chiefly by barba¬ 
rous nations. 

817 

Snakeroot is so named from the fact that it was 
believed by the Indians to be a safeguard against the 
poisonous bites of snakes. 




OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


141 


818 

Surveying is of Egyptian origin. 


819 


Spruce lumber is used for more purposes than any 
other. 


820 


Shays 1 war broke out in 178G. 


821 

Springfield, Illinois, lies 178 miles southwest of 
Chicago. Its streets are broad and cross each other 
at right angles; they are very pleasant and shady. 
The best public buildings are the state capitol, cus¬ 
tom house and post-office. Five important lines of 
railroad pass through the city. The principal manu¬ 
factories are flour and rolling mills, foundries and 
machine shops. The population in 1880 was 19,746. 

822 

Shawls were not much worn until 1570. 

823 

The Susquehanna river is 397 miles long. 

824 

Andreas Sparrmann, the Swedish naturalist, was 
born in the province of Upland about 1747, and died 
in 1820. 


142 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


825 

South America has an area of 6,949,644 square 
miles, and a population of 26,309,722. 

826 

By far the heaviest snow-falls occur during the 
night. 

827 

The first ship in the English Navy, as it stands 
to-day, is the Great Harry, built about 1488. 

828 

Ira D. Sankey was born in 1840. 


829 

The great English evangelist, Charles Haddon 
Spurgeon, Avas born at Kelvedon, Essex, England, 
June 19, 1834. 

830 

Scotland has an area of 30,902 square miles. Its 
western shores are much more elevated, bolder and 
more ragged than the eastern. The surface of Scot¬ 
land is generally mountainous. The chief minerals 
are coal, iron and salt. The climate is \ T ery fine and 
nearly like that of England. The lowlands of Scot¬ 
land are better adapted to agriculture, and the high¬ 
lands to pasturage. The chief crops are oats, Avheat 
and barley. The chief manufactures are cotton, 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


143 


woolen, hemp and cotton flannel. The population of 
Scotland in 1881 was 3,735,573, including military 
and seamen. 

831 

The old Egyptians’ swords were made of bronze. 

832 

The swan lays eight eggs. 

833 

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church, 
was born at Sharon, Vermont, December 23, 1805. 

834 

St. Albans, Vermont, lies 3 miles east of Lake Cham¬ 
plain, and 23 miles north by east of Burlington. St. 
Albans is chiefly built upon an elevated plain. Its 
public buildings are well and tastefully built. The 
leading manufactories are car, iron, steel and marble 
works. Several branches of the Vermont Central 
railroad unite at St. Albans. The population of the 
place in 1880 was 7,195. 

835 

It was the duty of the ancient Hebrew scribes to 
*/ 

keep all records of the kingdom. 

836 

There is no better squash than the Hubbard. 


144 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


887 

Soap was first used by the Greeks. 

888 

Many of the present laws in regard to shipping 
were made more than 1000 years b. c. 

881 ) 

There are double stars as well as single. 

840 

The area of Sweden is 170,979 square miles. The 
northern half of the country slopes southeast, facing 
the gulf. West of the coast it gradually becomes 
hilly and mountainous. The southern part of the 
country is quite fertile ; and nearly four fifths of it is 
covered with valuable forests. Woolen goods and 
lumber are the leading manufactures. Iron and 
copper are mined in the southern part. The heavier 
grains and fruits are raised in Sweden. The popula¬ 
tion of the country in 1884 was 4,043,128. 

841 

Shoes were first made by the Egyptians. 


842 

There is no better soapstone than that quarried at 
Franklin, New Hampshire. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


145 


843 

Sandpaper was first made in Paris in 1517. 

844 

St. Augustine is an important port of entry, and 
the oldest European settlement in the United States. 
It is situated 33 miles south-southeast of Jacksonville, 
Florida. The streets are narrow. In the centre of 
the town is a fine public square, in which are the 
custom house and post-office; these are the best 
buildings of the place. The chief industry of the 
city is the manufacture of palmetto straw. St. Au¬ 
gustine has both railroad and steamboat connection. 
The population of the city in 1880 was 2,293, 


845 

The Italians are the finest sculptors in the world. 

846 

The starling mav be taught to talk a little. 

O v O 

847 

Lake St. Clair is 30 miles long. 

848 

Common solder is made by mixing two parts of 
lead and one of block tin. 

10 


146 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


840 

Joseph Jenks of Lynn, Mass., made ihe first scythe 
in America in the year 1646. 

850 

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. 
Its area is 11,201 square miles. 

851 

St. John, New Brunswick, lies on the north bank 
of the St. John river, 130 miles north-northwest of 
Halifax, Nova Scotia. Its streets are very wide and 
pleasant. The buildings, both public and private, 
are very fine. Saw and planing mills with ship¬ 
building make up the chief enterprises of the place. 
St. John has communication with the principal cities 
of the United States. 

85*2 

Sodom was destroyed in the year 1897 b. c. 

853 

The St. Lawrence river is 750 miles Ions:, from 
Lake Ontario to the gulf of St. Lawrence. Jts whole 
length, including the chain of lakes, is estimated at 
2200 miles. 

854 

Small-pox is one of the oldest diseases on record. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


147 


855 

The area of Spain is about 197,767 square miles. 
The surface of the country changes very quickly 
from plain to hill, and from hill to mountain. Spain 
is particularly rich in minerals ; silver, coal and iron 
are the leading ones. The chief manufactures are 
woolen and linen goods, porcelain and iron and 
earthen ware. In 1884 Spain had a population of 
16,958,178. 

856 

The somnambulist will do things while asleep that 
he cannot do while awake. 

857 / 

Strawberries, of which there are numerous vari¬ 
eties, have been cultivated since 1483. 

858 

Ann Eliza Seton, founder of the Sisters of Charity 
n the United States, was born in New York, August 
28, 1774, and died in Emmitsburg, Maryland, January 
14, 1821. 

859 

The speaker of the House of Representatives can¬ 
not vote except in case of a tie. 

860 

St. Louis is the largest and finest city in the state 
of Missouri. It lies upon the right bank of the Mis- 


148 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


sissippi. Its streets are wide and are lined with 
splendid buildings. The place is rightly named 
when it is called the Gem city. The chief manufac¬ 
ture is flour. The city is a large commercial centre; 
it is also one of the leading railroad junctions of the 
West. In 1880 its population was 350,518; in 1886 
estimated at 400,000. 

801 

There is no better sand for pottery than that found 
in the District of Columbia. 

862 

The Seven Years war began in 1756 and ended in 
1763. 

803 

The old Roman senate was composed of 100 men. 

864 

The first stoves were made in 1713. 

865 

Savannah, Georgia, lies upon the right bank of the 
Savannah river, 18 miles from its mouth. It is built 
on a sandy plain. The streets are broad and shady. 
The finest public buildings are the court house and 
custom house. The leading industries of the place 
are the lumber trade and ship building. Savannah 
is reached by both rail and boat. Its population in 
1880 was 30,700. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


149 


860 

Spectacles were invented about 1285 a. d. 


867 

The manufacture of silk began in China in the 
year 2600 b. c. 

868 

The first sewing machine was made by Elias Howe 
in 1846. 

869 


The first steamboat voyage was made by the in¬ 
ventor, Robert Fulton, and a small party of friends, 
between New York and Albany. They started from 
the former city upon the morning of Friday, August 
14,1807. The trip of 150 miles was made in 35 hours. 


870 

Southampton is a lively seaport of Hampshire, 
England; its population in 1884 was 60,235. 


871 

The Suez canal, one of the greatest engineering 
triumphs of our age, is 100 miles in length. 

872 

Saratoga is one of the most noted watering places 
in the world. 


150 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


873 

There are 100 different bands of Shakers. 

874 

The Segura river is over 150 miles long. 

875 

Switzerland is a small inland country of Europe. 
Its entire area is only 15,892 square miles. The sur¬ 
face of Switzerland is more broken and mountainous 
than any other part of Europe. The country has 
splendid scenery, indeed it is considered by some 
travellers to be finer than in any other part of the 
known world. The climate varies according: to the 
location of the different places. The country is par¬ 
ticularly rich in minerals; copper, iron and nickel 
are largely mined ; marble and other valuable stones 
are abundant. The leading manufactures are watches, 
jewelry and cotton goods. Switzerland has a very 
varied vegetation, and agricultural pursuits are every¬ 
where carried on with great industry. Its population 
in 1884 was 2,792,264. 

876 

Satin wood is getting very scarce. 

877 

A vast number of screws are manufactured in 
Florence, Mass. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


151 


878 

The bite of a black spider sometimes proves fatal. 

879 

Steel can be made by adding carbon to iron. 

880 

San Francisco, California, is the leading commer¬ 
cial city on the American coast of the Pacific Ocean. 
The streets are straight and broad, crossing: each 
other at right angles. San Francisco is noted for the 
beauty of its residences. The manufactures of the 
city are mostly silk, woolen goods and carriages. 
The population in 1880 was 233,959. 

881 

New Orleans was one of the leading slave markets. 


The sandpiper lays eight eggs. 


883 

Salt Lake City lies about 22 miles from Great Salt 
Lake. Great care was taken in selecting the site 
for this beautiful city. The streets are 128 feet 
wide. The buildings are mostly of unburnt sun-dried 
brick. The houses are mostly one story in height. 
The best public buildings are the city hall and Mor- 


152 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


mon temple. In 1880 the population of Salt Lake 
City was 20,7G8. 

884 

Our best salt is English. 

885 

The Salmon is liked by many people better than 
any other kind of fish. 

88G 

The diameter of the sun is about 850,000 miles. 

887 

The silk worm is about three inches long, and of a 
light green color. 

888 

The stereoscope was invented by Professor Elliott 
of Edinburg in 1834. 

889 

Nothing like the excitement occasioned by the 
Salem witchcraft of 1G91 and 1G92 has since been 
known in Essex county, Massachusetts. 

890 

Stereotyping was invented by William Ged, a 
goldsmith of Edinburg, Scotland, in 1731. 

891 

Silver was the second metal used. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


153 


892 

Stockholm is a grand old city. Its population in 
1884 was 205,129. 

893 

At 28 minutes past 4 on the morning of April 12, 
1861, the first gun of the Rebellion was fired, at the 
siege of Fort Sumpter. 

894 

St. Paul, Minn., lies upon both sides of the Missis¬ 
sippi river. The city is built on a bluff 80 feet above 
the river. It is one of the prettiest laid-out cities of 
the West. Its principal public buildings are the 
capitol and custom house. St. Paul is the great 
commercial centre and railroad junction of Minnesota. 
In 1880 its population was 41,473, now estimated at 
about 150,000. 

895 

There is no better slate than that quarried in Vir¬ 
ginia. 

896 

Stockings were first worn by the Romans. 

897 

There are no skunks in the old world. 

898 

Many stones owe their origin to organic substances. 


154 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


890 

The first sugar mill in the United States was built 
near New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1758. 

900 

The first iron-clad steamer was built about 1830. 

901 

St. Petersburg lies at the eastern extremity of the 
Gulf of Finland. Its area is 42 square miles. It is 
built upon a plain. Its streets are wide and pleasant. 
The public buildings, particularly the cathedrals, are 
elegant. The city is largely engaged in manufac¬ 
ture. The population in 1884 was 929,100. 

902 

Mt. Skiddaw, near Keswick, Cumberland, England, 
is 3022 feet high. 

903 

The human skeleton contains 208 bones besides 
the teeth. 

904 

Skates are of English origin ; they were first made 
in London in 1155. 

905 

Sing Sing prison is 448 feet long and 44 feet wide. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


1 i)l\ 


900 

T. Dewitt Talmage was born atBounbrook, New 
York, January 7, 1832. 

907 

The tambourine is one of the oldest musical instru¬ 
ments known. 

90S 

The first tent ever pitched upon a battle field was 
that of Louis XIY. of France. 

909 

Turnip contains 92 per cent, of water. 

910 

\ 

Tybee island lies at the mouth of the Savannah 
river, and is six miles long and three miles wide. 


911 

The Tennessee river is 800 miles long. 

912 

Tapestry was first made in 850 b. c. 


913 

Thanksgiving Day has been observed since 1G21. 


914 

Taxes have been collected since the earliest times. 


156 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


915 

The surface of Texas varies considerably. Its 
coa^t line is low and level. The soil is rich and well 
adapted to the growth of grain and fruits. The cen¬ 
tre of the state is a high and rolling prairie. The 
remainder is a huge table land. Texas is rich in min- 
erals; coal, iron, copper, salt and lead are the chief. 
The climate is very tine. The soil of Texas when 
taken as a whole is very rich. The chief crops are 
cotton, sugar cane and tobacco. Vast amounts of 
fruits are also produced. The area is 262,290 square 
miles. The population in 1880 was 1,591,749. 

916 

Zachary Taylor was born in Orange county, Vir¬ 
ginia, November 24, 1784, and died in Washington, 
I). C., July 9, 1850. 


917 

The tarantula is from 1 1-2 inches to 2 1-2 inches 
long, and of an ashy brown color. 


918 


In old times type was made by the printer who 
used it. 


919 


A good typo setter will set 6000 ems in a day. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


157 


920 

The first type-setting machine was patented by Dr. 
Church in 1820. 

921 

On the night of December 16, 1772, three cargoes 
of tea were thrown into Boston harbor by the Boston 
Tea Party. 

922 

The tomato is a native of the tropics. 


923 

The first Teachers’ Institute was held in the state 
of Connecticut in 1839. 

924 

The electric telegraph was invented by Professor 
Samuel F. B. Morse in 1832. 

925 

The oldest telegraph line in the United States is 
that running between Baltimore, Maryland, and 
Washington, D. C., a distance of 38 miles. 


926 

The first telegraphic dispatch was the simple ex¬ 
clamation, “ What has God wrought.” 


927 

Turkey embraces large territory in Europe, Asia 


158 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


ana Africa. Turkey in Europe is quite diversified. 
It has high mountain chains running along its south¬ 
ern and eastern shores; between these are fertile 
plains and rich valleys. A large part of European 
Turkey is covered with valuable forests. The central 
part of Asiatic Turkey is made up of high plateaus 
covered with salt marshes and lakes. Considerable 
attention is paid to agriculture and manufacturing 
throughout Asiatic Turkey. The area of the whole 
Turkish empire is 2,402,522 square miles, and its 
population is about 18,410,000. 

928 

The first tobacco for American market came from 
Jamestown, Virginia, in 1616. 


929 

The invention of the telescope has been credited to 
both Zachariah Jansen and Hans Lippersheim about 
1610. 

930 

Theatres are of Chinese origin. 


931 

But little attention was paid to the science of theol¬ 
ogy until the year 1125. 

932 

Trenton, New Jersey, lies on the left bank of the 
Delaware river, 33 miles northeast of Philadelphia, 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


159 


and 57 miles southwest of New York. The city is 
regularly laid out. Its finest public buildings are the 
capitol and court house. Trenton has a good railroad 
communication with the leading cities of the United 
States, llie chief manufacture of the place is pottery. 
Its population in 1880 was 29,910, now estimated at 
34,380. 

933 

The telephone was invented by Thomas A. Edison 
in 1877. 

934 

There is no better tin than that taken from the 
mines of Great Britain. 

935 

President John Tyler was born in Charles City 
county, Virginia, March 29, 1790, and died in Rich¬ 
mond, Virginia, January 17, 1862. 

936 

The first temperance society in the United States 
was formed at Litchfield, Connecticut, in 1798. 

937 

The state of Tennessee is best described in three 
divisions, eastern, middle and western. The eastern 
is mountainous; the middle is broken and rolling; 
the western is low and level. The mineral deposits 
of tho state are very valuable; they consist of coal, 
iron, copper, lead, zinc and salt. Middle and western 


160 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


Tennessee offer great inducements to agriculturists. 
Wheat, corn, oats and tobacco are the chief crops. 
The leading- manufactures of the state are cotton and 
woolen goods, and hardware. The area of the state 
is about 41,750 square miles, and its population in 
1880 was 1,542,359. 

938 

The invention of the thermometer is credited to 
several different persons, among others, to Drebbel 
Sanatorius in 1609. 

939 

The Thirty Years war began in 1618 and ended in 
1648. 

940 

The first threshing machine was invented in 1744. 

941 

The Umbre river in Africa is 357 miles long. 

© 

942 

Umbrellas were first used in China. 

943 

The umbrella bird lives entirely upon fish. 

944 

The planet of Uranus is only 1,753,869,000 miles 
from the sun. 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


161 


945 

Mount Uncampahgre in Colorado is 14,540 feet 
high. 

946 

The city of Utica, Xew York, lies on the south 
bank of the Mohawk river, 93 miles northwest by 
west of Albany. The place is well laid out. Gene¬ 
see street is the principal one of the city. The best 
public buildings in the place are the city hall and 
public library. Utica is largely engaged in manu¬ 
factures, they consist chiefly of engines, machinery, 
iron and brass castings. Three lines of railroad and 
two canals pass through the place. The population 
of the city in 1880 was 33,913. 

947 

The Umpqua river in Oregon is 200 miles long. 

948 

The area of the United States is nearly 4,000,000 
square miles. Look north, look south, look east, 
look west, search every nook and corner of the globe, 
and you will not find a more prosperous country, 
empire or republic than the United States. Its lands 
produce more, its mineral deposits are richer and 
more plentiful, its manufactures more numerous and 
larger, its educational and charitable institutions are 
finer and of a higher order than any other country in 
11 


162 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


the world. The population of the United States in 
1880 was 50,155,783. 

949 

The University of Paris is one of the oldest and 
finest in the world. 

950 

Utah is one of the most important territories. Its 
area is 82,190 square miles. A considerable portion 
of Utah is mountainous. A large amount of gold, 
silver, iron, copper and lead is mined in Utah. The 
land is better adapted to grazing than agriculture. 
The population of the territory in 1880 was 143,963. 


951 

The highest elevation of the Ural mountains is 
nearly 5400 feet. 

952 

Martin Van Burcn was born in Ivinderhook, New 
York, December, 5, 1782, and died there July 24, 
1862 

953 

Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, was 
chartered in 1872. 

954 

The velocipede was invented by Carl Van Drais in 
1817. 

955 

There are no horses in Venice excepting a few old 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


163 


plugs that can be seen by any one paying the trilling 
sum of 25 cents. 

956 

The area of the state of Vermont is 9136 square 
miles. Its surface, which is for the most part hilly 
and mountainous, is better adapted to grazing than 
agriculture, although good crops of oats, barley, rye 
and potatoes are raised. Great attention is given 
throughout the state to the raising of live stock. 
Woolen goods and leather are the leading manufac¬ 
tures of Vermont. The population of the state in 
1880 was 332,286. 

957 

The planet of Venus is about 60,000,000 miles from 
the sun. 

958 

Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. 
Its population in 1881 was 1,103,857. 

959 

There were 190 Union men killed in the siege of 
Vicksburg, January 1, 1861. 

960 

The surface of the state of Virginia is greatly 
diversified, some parts being level, some hilly, and 
others mountainous. The forests of the state are 
heavy and valuable; they consist of every variety 
common to that latitude. The mineral wealth of 


164 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


Virginia is very large; iron, lead, zine, copper, sul¬ 
phur, coal and salt are mined. The soil which is 
very rich and fertile yields abundant crops of grass, 
grain, tobacco and fruit. The leading manufactures 
of the state are flour, prepared tobacco, and the pro¬ 
ducts of the cotton mills and iron foundries. The 
area of the state of Virginia is 40,125 square miles. 
Its population in 1880 was 1,512,565. 

961 

The violin first appeared in its present form in 


Vassal* College was opened in 1865. 

963 

George Washington was born in West Moreland 
county, Virginia, February 22, 1732, and died at 
Mount Vernon, December 14, 1799. 

964 

The flesh of the walrus is highly prized as an 
article of food. 

965 

More than four fifths of the earth’s surface is water. 


966 

The White House at Washington, D. C., is 170 feet 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


105 


long, and 8G feet wide, and two stories high. It is 
built of Virginia freestone. Its total cost was $333,207. 

967 

Washington territory has an area of 66,880 square 
miles. Its eastern part is made up of plateaus, and 
the western part of mountains and hills which yield 
large crops of cereals. A considerable portion of the 
state however is better adapted to grazing than agri¬ 
culture. The chief manufactories are cotton, woolen 
and silk works. The territory has its full share of 
minerals; gold and coal are the chief. In 1880 its 
population was 75,116, in 1885, 175,000. 

968 

Williams College was opened October 20, 1791. 

969 

The city of Worcester, Mass., on the Boston & 
Albany railroad is 40 miles southwest of Boston. 
The streets are broad and pleasant; Main street is 
the principal one for business. The business blocks 
and houses are mostly of brick. The finest public 
buildings are the two county court houses, jail, city 
hall, high school, Mechanics hall and Union depot. 
Worcester is an important railroad junction. Its 
manufactures are so varied that it is almost impossi¬ 
ble to mention an article that they do not embrace. 
In 1880 its i^opulation was 58,291. 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


i6<; 


970 


Greece was tlie first country in which weaving was 
learned. 


971 


Wales is 136 miles long and an average of 75 miles 
wide. Its surface is almost all rough and mountain¬ 
ous. Wales is very rich in minerals; copper, lead 
and iron are the chief, although coal is also mined. 
The soil of the country is very fertile. The chief 
crops are wheat, rye and barley. Foundries and 
smelting works are the leading manufactories. 

o o 


972 

The city of Washington lies on the left bank of the 
Potomac river, 38 miles southwest of Baltimore, and 
226 miles southwest of New York. The city was 
laid out under the general supervision of General 
George Washington. Its streets as a whole are 
among the finest, and its buildings both public and 
private are among the best in the world. The popu- 
lation of the National Capital in 1880 was 147,293. 

973 

The area of Wisconsin is 54,450 square miles. In 
1880 its population was 1,315,497. The state abounds 
in beautiful scenery. The surface is high and rolling 
and has a general slope to the southeast. Its soil is 
rich and fertile, and yields fine crops of grains and 
vegetables. The forests of Wisconsin are vast and 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


167 


valuable. Its leading manufactures are boots, shoes 
and carriages. 

974 

The Wesleyan University of Middletown, Connec¬ 
ticut, is the oldest Methodist college in the United 
States. It was opened September, 1831. 

075 

Watches have been tick, tick, ticking since 1310. 

076 

Wyoming territory has an area of 97,575 square 
miles. It is the most mountainous section of country 
upon the American continent, and its scenery is 
grand beyond description. The territory is rich in 
minerals, the chief being iron, coal, lead and copper. 
The chief industry of the territory is stock raising. 
Very little attention has, as yet, been paid to agricul¬ 
ture or manufactures. In 1880 the population was 
20,789. 

977 

A fully grown male whale is from 60 to 70 feet 
long. 

978 

The area of West Virginia is 24,645 square miles. 
Its surface is, for the most part, mountainous. Its 
soil is very rich and is finely adapted to agriculture 
and grazing. Corn, wheat and tobacco are the chief 

o o 


168 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


crops. Coal, iron and salt are the chief minerals. 
About one half of the state is covered with valuable 
forests. Agricultural tools are the leading manufac- 
ture. The scenery throughout the state is very fine. 


979 

The origin of wheat is not known, but it was raised 
in China 2700 b. c. 

980 

Windsor castle was built by William The Con¬ 
queror. 

981 

Xenia College was incorporated in 1850. 


982 

Xenophon stood at the head of the Athenian histo¬ 
rians of his time. 

983 

Xerxes reigned in Persia from 485 to 465 b. c. 

984 

Ylue was first obtained in a perfect state from coal 
by naphtha in 1863. 

985 

The first commencement at Yale College was held 
September 13, 1702. 

986 

The Yenisei river is about 2500 miles long. 

O 


OF CHOICE INFORMATION. 


169 


987 

A good yeast can be easily made from potatoes. 


988 

Yellow fever causes more than one half of the deaths 
which arise from contagious diseases. 


989 

The yellow thrush is a fine singer. 

. 990 

Brigham Young was born at Whitingham, Vt., 
June 1, 1801, and died August 19, 1877. 

991 / 

American naturalists will always reverence the 
name of Clias. B. Young. 


992 


Zebras are almost never found singly but in large 
herds. 


993 


The emperor Zena ruled over Persia from a. d. 174 
to 225. 

994 

There are some 50,000,000 pounds of zinc used in 
the United States yearly. 


170 


ONE THOUSAND FACTS 


9S5 

Mount Zion is 3000 feet high. 


996 

John Ziska was a leading missionary of his day. 


997 

Zips is one of the finest counties of Hungary. 

998 

Zhitomir is one of the largest and liveliest cities 
of southwestern Russia. 


999 

Zurich is one of the prettiest lakes in Switzerland. 
It is 25 miles long and from 1 to 2 miles wide. 


1000 

There are few metals used for more purposes than 
zinc. 


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